Gary has done an excellent review of Early Times Bourbon, before it was Kentucky Whiskey. In the review he makes some references to Old Forester expecting a comparison in taste. He appears to be suprised at the differences. This should not be the case because they are two totally different products with seperate mash bills and yeast.
Every year at the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Academy the participants get a chance to taste and compare Early Times and Old Forester both in the aged, finished product and as a white dog product. Early Times white dog is very flavorfull with lots of corn flavors and very little fruit or spice from the yeast or the rye. Old Forester white dog is more fruity and complex. These difference also come through in the finished product. Early Times has always been a more grain driven flavor with mild barrels tones. For me Old Forester has always had more fruit flavors from the yeast and caramel flavors from the barrel.
These are great examples how the same distillery can make two completely different flavor profile products by varying the grain and the yeast.
Mike Veach