Old Forester Single Barrel "Four Paws" Cask Strength Bourbon Whisky

Old Forester Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon — Blackwell’s Pick Four Paws (131.2 Proof) is a commanding, richly layered whiskey that exemplifies the exhilaration of cask-strength bourbon at its best. Deeply expressive, harmoniously bold, and intensely aromatic, this singular barrel selection delivers concentrated notes of toasted oak, dried fruit, and robust spice — making it an ideal choice for serious bourbon drinkers and collectors alike.

Origins & Craftsmanship

This expression hails from Old Forester Distilling Co., one of America’s most historic bourbon houses, rooted in Louisville, Kentucky. The Single Barrel program highlights the distillery’s craftsmanship by bottling the distinct character of individual barrels rather than blending across multiple barrels.

For the Blackwell’s Pick, a specific barrel was hand-selected for its striking profile and depth of complexity. Matured in new charred American white oak barrels, this whiskey has been drawn directly from the barrel without chill filtration, preserving its full expression and cask-derived texture. Bottled at a robust 131.2 proof (65.6% ABV), this release embodies the raw intensity and nuanced richness that cask strength enthusiasts crave — intense yet balanced.

Old Forester’s house style — triple distilled clarity married with full-bodied maturation — serves as a foundation for this cask selection, offering both refined grain character and expressive wood influence.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Massive and inviting, with layered aromas of toasted oak, caramelized sugar, and crème brûlée, accented by dried orchard fruit (fig, ripe pear), cinnamon stick spice, and darker baking spices. Subtle notes of tobacco leaf and hazelnut add complexity.

Palate:
Full-bodied and richly textured, delivering butterscotch and brown sugar up front, evolving into robust cinnamon bark, clove, and black pepper. Toasted oak and char spice weave through the mid-palate, with hints of dark chocolate, roasted almond, and rich vanilla custard.

Finish:
Long, warm, and satisfying, with persistent oak spice, caramel, toasted grain, and a gentle heat that fades slowly, leaving a nuanced reminder of the cask strength.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Cask Strength Old-Fashioned — Blackwell’s Edition

• 2 oz Old Forester Single Barrel Cask Strength (131.2 Proof)

• 0.25 oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Stir with ice until well chilled; strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange twist to accent citrus warmth against oak and spice.

Barrel Strength Manhattan

• 2 oz Old Forester Single Barrel Cask Strength (131.2 Proof)

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  Stir with ice; strain into a chilled coupe; garnish with a luxardo cherry. (Add a tiny splash of barrel proof to the cherries for extra depth.)

Robust Sazerac

• 2 oz Old Forester Single Barrel Cask Strength (131.2 Proof)

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
  Rinse chilled rocks glass with absinthe; combine remaining ingredients with ice and stir. Strain over a large ice cube; garnish with lemon peel.