🥃 Old Forester Rye
Rye whiskey from Old Forester: a Kentucky straight rye with a mash of 65% rye, 50% ABV (100 proof), since 2019.
Old Forester Rye is a rye whiskey from the Old Forester brand, and the only permanent version that is not a bourbon. It is a Kentucky straight rye bottled at 100 proof, which is 50% ABV. No age is stated. According to Breaking Bourbon, it was introduced in January 2019 and reached stores nationwide in February of that year.
The mash bill is 65% rye, 20% malted barley and 15% corn. The large share of malt is enough for fermentation to proceed naturally, without added enzymes, and the yeast is the brand's own strain. According to Breaking Bourbon, the recipe was inspired by Normandy Rye, a rye whiskey that Brown-Forman acquired in 1940. It matures in new charred oak barrels.
Why this matters to you. Compare it with Old Forester 100 Proof: the strength is the same, but the rye gives more spice. Outside the brand, a similar example is Woodford Reserve Rye. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 50% ABV (100 proof) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | rye 65%, malted barley 20%, corn 15% |
| Cask type | new charred oak barrels |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement; straight rye from 2 years |
| Year founded | January 2019 |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey, for the EU market |
| Legal basis | 27 CFR § 5.143 (USA): rye - at least 51% rye, new charred oak barrels; straight - at least 2 years |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Old Forester Rye → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Barrel toasting
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Old Forester, 🥃 Straight rye whiskey
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Woodford Reserve Rye, 🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof, 🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof, 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof, 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Forester Rye a bourbon?
No. It is a straight rye: the mash contains 65% rye, while bourbon requires at least 51% corn.
What is the strength of Old Forester Rye?
100 proof, which is 50% ABV.
When did Old Forester Rye appear?
According to Breaking Bourbon, in January 2019; nationwide from February 2019.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky — Grain in the name of American whiskey: bourbon is at least 51% corn, rye at least 51% rye, corn whiskey at least 80% corn.
- 🍷 Barrel toasting — Heating the inside of a barrel over fire; the degree of toast shapes the wine's taste.
- 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof — The flagship Old Forester: a Kentucky straight bourbon at 43% ABV (86 proof), with no age statement.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch · 🥃 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style · 🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond · 🥃 Elijah Craig Straight Rye
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Old Forester (official): Old Forester Rye — Kentucky Straight Rye, 100 proof; mash bill 65 % rye, 20 % malted barley, 15 % corn; proprietary yeast
- Breaking Bourbon: Old Forester Rye Review (100 proof; 65 % rye, 20 % malted barley, 15 % corn; introduced January 2019; inspired by Normandy Rye acquired 1940)
- 27 CFR § 5.143 Standards of identity for whisky (bourbon/rye: min. 51 % corn/rye, new charred oak containers; straight: min. 2 years), text via Cornell LII
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)