Old Forester President's Choice Rye Whiskey
Old Forester President's Choice Rye Whiskey is the inaugural rye in Old Forester's ultra-premium President's Choice line — a single barrel Kentucky straight rye, aged 7–9 years and bottled at cask strength — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
Released in June 2025, this is the first-ever rye in a series inspired by private barrel selections dating back to 1964. Each bottle comes from one hand-selected barrel chosen for exquisite quality and distinct character — aged in charred American oak from Old Forester's own cooperage in Louisville — uncut and unfiltered at barrel proof (typically around 117 proof, varying by barrel). Crafted from the brand's signature high-malt rye mash bill of 65% rye, 20% malted barley and 15% corn, previously available only at the distillery and now at select retailers nationwide in extremely limited quantities.
Tasting notes (retailer/critic copy): spiced syrup, baking spices, dark berries, leather and tobacco leaf on the nose; dry charred oak, rye spice, brown sugar and syrup with evolving layers of leather and baking spice on the palate; a lingering finish of oak, vanilla bean and a peppery, herbal close.
Why buy President's Choice Rye? Because it is the rarest single-barrel rye Old Forester has ever released — the inaugural expression of a legend — and individual barrels are one-of-one bottles. Explore the rye whiskey collection, the Old Forester brand collection, and all whisky.
Serving note: at cask strength it begs for a few drops of water to open up; also a magnificent Manhattan.
What is the ABV? Single barrel at cask strength — typically around 117 proof (varies by barrel; confirm off the label), 750mL.
How old is it? Each barrel is aged 7–9 years in Old Forester's historic Louisville rickhouses.
What is President's Choice? Old Forester's ultra-premium line of single-barrel expressions hand-selected by the brand's president — a tradition dating to 1964.
Is this limited? Extremely — single barrels are one-of-one, and the inaugural 2025 rye release is already scarce.
