The Whiskey Row Series
The newest addition to the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series, is the limited edition annual release of Old Forester 1924 10 Year Old Bourbon. The Whiskey Row Series was launched in 2014 to commemorate the history of Old Forester Distillery and imparting a journey through time on four different expressions of Old Forester Bourbon. The series was comprised of four different expressions, all using the same 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley mashbill, but varying in proof, aging and maturation. The series consists of:
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch (Founding of Old Forester)
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-In-Bond (Passing of Bottled-In-Bond Act)
- Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whiskey (Distillery fire prompted rebarreling of bourbon into second barrels)
- Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style (Start of prohibition)
Old Forester 1924 is a tribute to the time during prohibition when Old Forester was still open and able to produce and sell whiskey. Here is a snippet from the Old Forester website:
During Prohibition, more than 200 distilleries were forced to close. Old Forester, however, continued operations because the federal government issued us one of six medicinal licenses, P-3. In 1924, Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers, with different mash bills, and bottled that liquid as Old Forester. This release commemorates that moment in time.
Other Old Forester bourbons include Old Forester 86 proof, Old Forester 100 Proof, Old Forester 100 Proof Single Barrel, Old Forester Statesman, Old Forester Barrel Strength Single Barrel, Old Forester Barrel Strength Rye, the 117 Series, Birthday Bourbon and President’s Choice.
What Is The Old Forester 1924 Mashbill?
It is important that in Old Forester’s description of 1924, they point out that “Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers, with different mashbills, and bottled that liquid as Old Forester”. Old Forester 1924 is made from a 79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley mashbill, unlike the other four Whiskey Row Series Bourbons. Fans of King of Kentucky and Early Times will recognize this mashbill instantly as they all share the same grain recipe. Brown Forman bought the Early Times brand in 1923 during prohibition. Fast forward to 2017, Brown Forman reintroduced the Early Times brand and then quickly sold it to Sazerac in 2020.
Rumor has it that Brown Forman still distills the King of Kentucky mashbill, but in much smaller quantities since the sale of Early Times. Maybe with the emergence of 1924 we could see more bourbons with the King of Kentucky mashbill. Not that I normally find King of Kentucky, but I was a bit worried that the Brown Forman aging stock for that release would run out.
Old Forester 1924 Bourbon Review
- Distillery: Old Forester
- Age: 10 Years
- Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
- Mashbill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
- MSRP: $115
I poured neat in a glencairn and let set for around 10 minutes. If you would like to support the site and buy a pair on glencairns, follow the hyperlink!
Old Forester 1924 is the oldest age stated bourbon in the Whiskey Row Series clocking in at 10 years old! It would also be safe to assume that for at least some of these barrels maturation they sat in Old Forester’s heat-cycled warehouses, which can potentially speed up the aging process. Meaning if this barrel sat 10 years in a heat-cycled warehouse it should taste even older than a standard 10 year bourbon. I think many of the non-allocated Old Fo products taste too young and hot, so I am excited to try Old Forester 1924 with a definitive age statement.
Color – Aged copper
Aroma – Wow this nose is complex. As I was letting the bourbon rest in the glencairn I was getting hints of oak a couple feet away. When I first approached the glen there were strong notes of sweet caramelized bananas. That was followed by a moderately intense oak that complimented the initial sweetness nicely. There is a hint of black pepper on the tail end of the nose. Very well rounded and balanced.
Taste – My palate explodes with caramel, sweet bananas and a hint of cherry. The flavors are so soft and well rounded with no harshness at all. This pour has one of the most viscous mouthfeels I have had for a 10 year old bourbon. Love it! My second sip, the bananas hit first again followed by a mix of oak, cinnamon and just a hint of rye spice. Brown sugar rounds out the notes I am picking up and highlights the influence the barrel had on this bourbon.
Finish – The rye shines on the finish with a peppery spice that lingers on the palate. There is a bit more bite on the finish, where it was completely absent on the palate. As the spiciness dissipates, oak flavors linger on the palate for minutes after I finish my pour.
Rating – 8.6/10
Thoughts – Old Forester 1924 is a well balanced, mature, complex bourbon that exceeded my expectations. I enjoy the other bottles in the whiskey row series but 1924 is the best of the bunch. However, 1924 does come at double the price compared to the rest of the Whiskey Row bottles and it is allocated. This isn’t a value buy but something to splurge on. I wish Old Forester would release a 10 year old aged stated 1910 or 1920!
I love the intense caramel and banana notes, the viscous mouthfeel and sweetness of Old Forester 1924. Drinking this does give me slight reminders of King of Kentucky, which is the same mashbill but aged 5-6 more years longer and bottled at barrel proof.
I think 1924 is a home run by Old Forester and I hope they continue releasing older stocks of their bourbon. Normally my biggest complaint of Old Forester products are they taste too young and hot.
While MSRP is high, I would purchase this bottle again and gladly share with friends. I think any bourbon drinker would appreciate this pour and I recommend drinking this neat as it’s at 100 proof. Keep more of these releases coming Old Forester!
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
5 | Good | Good, just fine
6 | Very Good | A cut above
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
Debonair Gentlemen 
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