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), 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.