These days, it’s become common practice to revive old world traditions for the modern consumer. The Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story cigar are examples of products that offer a subtle nod to traditions of a bygone era.
THE SIP
During the time of Prohibition in the America (1920-1933), many distilleries were forced to cease production and were closed down – for good. One that survived the melee was Brown-Forman, the makers of Old Forester.
Brown Forman were among a very small handful of distilleries that were awarded dispensation rights to manufacture and sell whiskey for ‘medicinal purposes’.
Decades earlier, Old Forester was also the very first whiskey to be sold in a bottle in the US in the 1870s.
Today, the Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon reflects the type of whiskey that was being bottled by the company during this time of temperance.
At 115 Proof (57.5%abv), this straight bourbon exhibits aromas and flavors of cinnamon, vanilla custard, tobacco, banana, Thompson raisins and baking spices.
A long finish produces notes of chocolate, cedar and marshmallow, complete with a very coating mouthfeel and little unwanted residual heat.
THE SMOKE
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story is a unique, perfecto-shaped cigar that was among the cigar shapes or “vitolas” that were being made under the direction of Arturo A. Fuente, a Cuban immigrant that started making cigars in Key West, Florida in the very early 1900s.
This difficult-to-make, old-world style of cigar was resurrected decades later in the 1980s by descendants Carlos Fuente Sr. and his son Carlos ‘Carlito’ Fuente Jr. and was named after celebrated American author Ernest Hemingway.
Today, the skilled artisans at Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic deftly craft this cigar by cloaking Dominican binder and filler tobaccos within a lush Cameroon wrapper.
The Short Story produces tasting notes of cedar, graham cracker, baking spices, and cashews. Black pepper and dark dried fruit create a sweet and spicy combination that appears toward the end.
THE PAIRING
Beyond the fact that these two products each pay homage to the skilled hands that once crafted very similar releases over a century ago, the Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story unquestionably marry well when enjoyed together.
The Short Story is medium-bodied in both strength and flavor, which works well with this Kentucky bourbon that drinks much smoother than its higher proof would suggest.
The two create a combination that explodes with cinnamon, and fuses with overlapping notes of cedar and tobacco. Additionally, maple and black pepper become prominent.
Together The Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story create a delightful flavor combination that begs to be experienced and enjoyed thoroughly.
