This is the fifth offering in Diageo's Orphan Barrel line. Forged Oak invokes the mythical Stitzel-Weller name but was actually distilled in 1997-1998 at the "New" Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, home to Heaven Hill, and is bottled in Tennessee. It is made from a mashbill of 86% corn, 7% barley, and 6% rye.
Orphan Barrel Forged Oak 15 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes
Nose: It has a campfire nose, lots of wood and spice with candied walnuts, licorice, dark red fruits, and crème brûlée under the initial oak attack.
Palate: On the palate, the oak and spice assert themselves but eventually give way to ginger, plum, orange bitter, tobacco, and coffee.
Finish: During the warm, lingering finish one finds orange bitters, and pepper.