Old Forester’s New Bourbon is ‘History Captured’ in Liquid Form

Old Forester is bringing back its Extra Old bourbon. (Photo: Old Forester)

Old Forester announced on Wednesday the return of Extra Old, a whiskey within the brand’s limited-release 117 Series. For Extra Old, Old Forester aged its 1910 whiskey in a secondary barrel for an additional 18 months, claiming this yields a richer profile.

“This expression showcases the exceptional flavors that can come from the second barrel, and how we can layer the flavors we achieve from maturation through the double barreling process,” Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift said in a statement. “Whiskey lovers can taste the history captured in this bottle.”

The 93-proof bourbon is bottled in 375-milliliter format and has a suggested retail price of $64.99.

Old Forester shared the release will be available in limited quantities at the distillery and can be shipped to Kentucky, New Hampshire, Nebraska, North Dakota and  Washington, D.C.

In early January, Old Forester brought back the very popular Old Forester 1924 expression for a second consecutive year. The 10-year-old bourbon clocked in at 100 proof and celebrated a particular moment in history.

Old Forester was one of six distilleries during Prohibition that was able to continue operating as a medicinal whiskey distillery due to permits issued from the federal government. The bourbon with a mashbill derived from 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley celebrates that particular moment in history.

The first time Old Forester launched 1910 Extra Old within its 117 series was February 2022.

“This release in the 117 Series is a curious exploration into the intensity of the proprietary heavily charred 1910 barrel,” former Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan said at the time. “This liquid was allowed to rest for 18 months in this secondary barrel, extracting significantly more of the heavily charred influence.”

Old Forester’s 1910 is an expression that honors a distillery fire that took place on October 22, 1910.

During the fire, Old Forester says it took some mature whiskey and re-barreled it in new barrels to protect it from potential fire damage. The move on the distillery’s part led to Old Fine Whisky — a brand new release. For the Extra Old, Old Forester decided to let the whiskey hang a bit longer in a secondary barrel for a bit more extraction.

Old Forester Tasting Notes, via the Brand

Nose: Chocolate covered cherries, butterscotch and barrel smoke.

Taste: Spiced pear, chocolate cinnamon graham cracker.

Finish: Apple skin, charred oak, spiced cinnamon.