Old Forester released its rye recipe nationwide in February 2019 as the distillery's first new grain recipe in nearly 150 years, inspired by Normandy Rye, a brand Brown-Forman acquired in 1940. The mash is 65% rye, 20% malted barley and 15% corn; that much malt lets it ferment naturally on Old Forester's proprietary yeast, without the artificial enzymes common in high-rye mash bills, and gives the floral character Old Forester says balances the rye's spice. For President's Choice, Master Taster Melissa Rift and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo taste barrels chosen for maturity, complexity and distinct character and set a proof point for each before it is bottled on its own, with the age, barrel number and strength completed by hand on the label.

Every bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see our editorial and authentication standards.

What is the mash bill of Old Forester President's Choice Rye?

Old Forester President's Choice Rye uses Old Forester's rye recipe of 65% rye, 20% malted barley and 15% corn. Inspired by Normandy Rye, a brand Brown-Forman acquired in 1940, the recipe was introduced in 2019 as the distillery's first new grain recipe in nearly 150 years; its high malted-barley share allows a fully natural fermentation without artificial enzymes and gives a floral character that balances the rye's spice.

What proof is Old Forester President's Choice Rye 2026?

It varies by barrel. Every bottle of Old Forester President's Choice Rye 2026 is drawn from a single barrel, bottled at a proof point that Master Taster Melissa Rift and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo set for that barrel's flavour, and its strength is handwritten on the label next to the barrel number and age.

How is President's Choice Rye different from President's Choice Bourbon?

In grain bill and in history. Old Forester President's Choice Rye is made from Old Forester's rye recipe of 65% rye, 20% malted barley and 15% corn, while President's Choice Bourbon is a Kentucky straight bourbon; and the rye joined the President's Choice label only in 2025, whereas the label itself traces to 1964. Both are single barrels whose proof points Master Taster Melissa Rift and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo set barrel by barrel, and the two were released together in June 2026.