Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 10 years
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Region: Louisville, Kentucky
Few brands in American whiskey can claim to have a heritage like Old Forester. Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, the brand is the only bourbon to have been bottled before, during, and after Prohibition. The Whiskey Row series, created by Master Distiller Chris Morris is a group of whiskeys that celebrate important and fascinating moments in Old Forester’s storied history.
The latest addition to the Whiskey Row series is Old Forester 1924, the first bottle to bear a true, 10-year age statement and the first bourbon released using a different mash bill (79% corn; 11% rye, and 10% malted barley) instead of the recipe that the brand has consistently used since its inception (72% corn; 18% rye and 10% malted barley).
Last year, online whiskey sleuths figured out that this bottle was on its way. Since then, it has been one of the most hotly anticipated new releases in the bourbon community. Let’s see if Old Forester 1924 is worthy of joining the other bourbons in the series.
Tasting notes
On the nose, Old Forester 1924 presents a bright aroma of butterscotch, and graham cracker, with milk chocolate, and warm baking spice. On the palate, sweet red fruit balances things out with more chocolate, honeyed graham cracker, candied pecan, and a bit of toasted, caramelized sugar. The finish satisfies with a long snickerdoodle cookie-esque wave of buttery sweetness, vanilla, grain, and baking spice.
Final thoughts
Old Forester fans are going to be pleased when they track down a bottle of 1924. It’s a balanced, complex, and overall very pleasing bourbon. The higher corn content in the mash bill along with a full ten years of barrel aging combine to create a bourbon packed with complex confectionery notes. Old Forester 1924 is also noticeably distinct from every other bourbon in the Whiskey Row series. This release is likely to move quickly but rest assured, Old Forester aims to keep 1924 in regular circulation, so everyone should eventually get a chance to pick up a bottle.
