Ohio Division of Liquor Control Announces Old Forester Barrel Release - Available July 20

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control has announced the availability of a Barrel Strength edition of Old Forester. This is the first ever Old Forester barrel release for Ohio. The bottles will hit shelves at select liquor stores (listed at the bottom) beginning at 9am on Saturday, July 20th. Each location will receive a minimum of 36 bottles, with some receiving up to 114. The state is also sending 'surprise' cases across Ohio... you'll need to check ohlq.com at 9am on the day of release to find the additional locations.

The five barrels were selected specifically for Ohio by Old Forest Master Taster Jackie Zykan. The bottles come with a 90 proof (45% alcohol) and will sell for $44.99 + tax. Since they are single barrel selections, each will have their own unique taste, but all should share notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak with hints of tobacco, maple, mint, and soft leather.

Our Take

It's nice to see most locations are receiving ample quantity so if someone is really interested in Old Forester, they should be able to snag a bottle as long as they arrive close to opening. For me, this isn't one that I'm overly excited about. I like Old Forester, but I don't like it enough to wake up and go on a hunt on a Saturday morning... however, if you are a big Old Forester fan, this is a great option for you to snag a single barrel. 

One last note, the surprise locations are ridiculous. If someone really wants this bottle, they need to be in line at 9am rather than checking websites and going on a scavenger hunt. The state would do better to be transparent or offer additional bottles at the already selected locations. 

Locations (alphabetical by city)

Buehler's           
1055 Sugarbush Dr., Ashland
Barrel WR201095
36 Bottles

Acme
2630 Bailey Rd., Cuyahoga Falls
Barrel WR201095
60 Bottles

Handy One Food Mart 
3105 E Dorothy Lane, Kettering
Barrel WR201309
84 Bottles

Sharonville Liquor & Wine         
11018 Reading Rd., Sharonville
Barrel WR201093
78 Bottles

Giant Eagle       
34310 Aurora Rd., Solon
Barrel WR201096
114 Bottles

Joseph's Beverage Center           
4129 Talmadge Rd., Toledo
Barrel WR201096
108 Bottles

Giant Eagle       
3061 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington
Barrel WR201094
96 Bottles

The Wine List   
7381 Tylers Corners Dr., West Chester
Barrel WR201094
96 Bottles

Kroger 
7345 S.R. 3, Westerville
Barrel WR201309
78 Bottles

Shoregate Beverage & Liquor   
30498 Lake Shore Blvd., Willowick
Barrel WR201095
48 Bottles

Wine Cellar       
105 S. Meridian Rd., Youngstown
Barrel WR201095
54 Bottles

Winerak Market             
2336 Maple Ave., Zanesville
Barrel WR201093
42 Bottles


Source: OHLQ