Old Forester Signature 86 Proof doesn’t actually say "Classic" anywhere on its bottle. It gets its name in honor of the legacy of founder George Garvin Brown, which features his signature on every bottle. Old Forester is the longest-running bourbon brand on the market and was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. The brand is also noted as one of the few whiskeys that was allowed to be sold during Prohibition for medicinal purposes (it's even featured on the bottle’s label). There is also a 100 proof Old Forester bourbon, which is known as “Signature.”

A classic bourbon aroma greets you as you lift the glass up and inhale. Scents of vanilla, oak, and faint caramel waft out, while nutmeg and faint brown butter lay beneath. A slight hint of walnut and leather cap things off. It’s a well-balanced, albeit light, aroma to kick things off.

A pop of sweetness in the form of brown sugar and watery vanilla kick off the midpoint. A blend of rye spice and green peppercorn spice appears, along with youthful oak and a dab of caramel. Slightly thin in its mouthfeel, the bourbon begins to show the limitations of its proof; however, it still ekes out a classic straight to the point midpoint.

A light burst of rye spice starts off the end of the sip, followed by vanilla and lightly charred oak. The oak and vanilla quickly fade, leaving a touch of rye spice that hangs on for a beat more before dropping off. The finish is the weakest part of the sip, being not only the most straightforward, but light and short in nature.

It’s increasingly hard to stand out in today’s crowded bourbon marketplace. Barrel finishes abound, age statements are making a comeback, and craft distillers are constantly offering new products to expose long-time bourbon drinkers' palates to new flavor profiles. Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon does none of these things, resting on the laurels of its Old Forester namesake.

While other Old Forester offerings, beginning with Old Forester Signature 100 Proof, offer unique traits via their bottled in bond status, barrel finishing, or proof, Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon is the most straightforward comparably and blends into a sea of bourbons on the shelf. Even its packaging is simple, which does nothing to help it stand out on the shelf. While packaging never determines a whiskey’s uniqueness, when you deliver a straightforward, average sip that doesn’t stand out as unique on its own, every little bit of differentiation helps.

There used to be a time, around 10 years ago, when $20-$25 would afford you a wide range of name-brand bourbons. Sadly, those days are behind us, and consumers struggle to find an average-tasting bourbon that delivers most of what you want from its sip. Thankfully, Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon is there to fill in where others have left.

Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon will not be the most profound bourbon you’ll ever drink, but it certainly will scratch the itch when you want to stretch your dollar and have a solid drink of bourbon. It’s versatile enough to be appreciated by long-time bourbon drinkers while also being the perfect proof to pour for those just exploring the category. Additionally, it’s flexible enough to work in most any bourbon cocktail that you’d like to create. Unlike competing brands like Basil Hayden Bourbon, which offer a similar simple classic flavor profile at low proof, at its current price point, Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon offers an well above-average value.

Old Forester is a marquee name in the bourbon industry due to its extremely rich history. While recent products of theirs have captivated consumers' attention, such as Old Forester 1924 or their ongoing immensely popular Birthday Bourbon series, for many, it’s Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon that serves as the backbone of their bourbon collection. This is for good reason, as it offers a simple yet distinctly bourbon sip at a price that is becoming harder and harder to find on many other brands. Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon may not overly impress, but it will certainly serve its purpose when it comes to delivering a value-priced, classic pour that you can enjoy by yourself or with any level of other bourbon drinker.