Old Forester '1NCE AGAIN' Single Barrel Cask Strength Review | A Taste Select Repeat Pick Worth Repeating | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- May 4
- 3 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Old Forester's '1NCE AGAIN' is a Taste Select — a single barrel release chosen specifically for the Liquor Connoisseur. Crystal and Roger open the bottle that bears their brand's selection and evaluate what store picks mean when the people doing the picking actually know what they're looking for.
Bottle Specs
Spirit: Old Forester '1NCE AGAIN' Single Barrel Cask Strength
Distillery: Old Forester Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)
Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Taste Select (store/group pick)
Selection: Chosen by The Liquor Connoisseur team
ABV: Cask strength — varies by barrel (~57–60%)
Price: ~$65–80 for single barrel selections
The name: '1NCE AGAIN' — an LC-branded release
What a Taste Select Actually Is
Old Forester's Taste Select program allows retailers, bars, and groups to taste through available single barrels and choose the one they want to bottle under their brand. This isn't a marketing arrangement — the selector actually tastes barrels side by side and picks based on flavor profile. Crystal and Roger explain their selection criteria: they were looking for a barrel with above-average proof, strong vanilla and caramel character, and enough spice in the finish to reward sipping.
Tasting Notes — The Selected Barrel
Nose: Classic Old Forester character — banana, caramel, and oak — amplified by the cask strength proof. This barrel has more dried fruit than the standard expression. Palate: Rich and warming at full cask strength. The caramel and vanilla that define Old Forester's house style are here at maximum intensity, with a significant rye spice in the mid-palate. Finish: Long and building — the spice grows over time rather than fading immediately, which is exactly what Crystal and Roger were selecting for.
What Makes a Good Store Pick
Not every store pick produces something meaningfully different from the standard release — some selectors just pick the most approachable barrel. Crystal and Roger wanted a barrel that stood apart: more proof, more character, more finish than the standard 1920 or Birthday Bourbon. Their selection criteria and the tasting process are worth understanding if you're going to pursue single barrel picks from any producer.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
For Old Forester fans: The '1NCE AGAIN' selection shows the ceiling of what the Old Forester house style can produce. If you love OF 1920, this is the natural next step.
For single barrel hunting: This episode is a masterclass in what to look for when you're tasting barrels. Crystal and Roger's selection criteria apply to any producer's single barrel program.
To find this bottle: LC single barrel selections are limited — check theliquorconnoisseur.com for availability or follow the brand for future selection announcements.
LC Verdict
A cask strength Old Forester that shows exactly what intentional barrel selection produces. The '1NCE AGAIN' selection is one of the best things the LC brand has put its name on.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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