I'm fortunate to have a LS nearby that routinely hosts tastings. Wine, beer, whiskeys...
So far, I've gone to Jack Daniels tasting with Jeff Arnett, the master distiller. Also to Jeffersons, George Remus, and tonight, Old Forester to sample the Whiskey Row series.
The series includes 1879 Original Batch, which they take barrels from 3 different rickhouses to marry into the blend. This is to mimic the original method of getting whiskey from 3 different distilleries to blend together, as performed when the brand was created.
The 1897 batch is bottled in bond, and dedicated to the landmark legislation that guaranteed the quality of bourbons.
1910 is a bourbon finished in a toasted oak barrel, commemorating the great Old Forester fire, which damaged the bottling line. They had dumped a batch of whiskey, but without the ability to bottle it would be ruined. Instead, they rebarreled in new oak, creating the first double barreled bourbon.
1920 commemorates prohibition. This one is bottled at 115 proof.
Also in the tasting was Statesman and a Single Barrel store pick.
I have to say this was by far the best lineup I've seen at a tasting. No bottom shelf whiskeys, no entry level spirits, just top notch bourbon.
Oh, and an 1879 bottle came home with me to complete my own Whiskey Row collection.