Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 1995

The third straight year of Birthday Bourbon releases. Last year we were blessed with not one but two practically flawless whiskeys (one quite richly flavored the other light and delicate). This 1995 vintage is nearly as good and reminds me in some ways of the first Birthday Bourbon release two years ago. Sweet notes of caramel maple cocoa powder and vanilla fudge (particularly on the front of the palate) are mingled with candied fruit and dry mint. The whiskey finishes fairly dry (more than its bouquet would suggest) with notes of polished leather mint dark chocolate and dried tea.