When the trailer for Kingsman: The Golden Circle debuted online, I literally jumped for joy. Kingsman was an insane thrill ride. It’s sort a of 007 on speed all the while winking to the audience. The sequel, which opens in theatres this Friday, looks to be even wilder.
Movie tie-ins are nothing new. Sometimes they seemed forced, but every now and then they’re done right. In the first film, the cover for the secret organization was a tailor’s shop. In the new film, their American counterpart’s cover: a Kentucky bourbon distillery. The filmmakers teamed up with none other than Old Forester to create a quality bourbon that would fit right in with the over-the-top world of The Kingsman.
Not that the bourbon is over-the-top. Well, maybe a little. This ain’t the Old Forester you’re used to.
The nose is notably spicier than the standard Old Forester. There is lots of oak spice, which makes me think a lot of the barrels for this release were pulled from upper warehouse floors. Some hot cocoa, vanilla extract and caramel balance out that spice. On entry, a sort of spiced vanilla custard, the kind topped with ground cinnamon, plays strongly and is complimented by orange zest. Some baking spice and a hint of leather on the midpalate add more complexity. The finish is long, with orange dreamsicle and mint lingering.
Old Forester set out to make a whiskey that balanced spice and heat, and they’ve succeeded. The volume’s turned up from the standard Old Forester flavor profile, but is still built around the distillery’s DNA. The whiskey is both familiar and new. I know what I’m sneaking into the theatre when I watch this film. 7.5/10
Adventures In Whiskey 