The Old Forester 117 Series is an ongoing special release bourbon that has come in multiple experimental expressions. The 117 Series was launched in Spring 2021 and lead by, at the time Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan. The 117 Series allows Old Forester to release bourbons that they may not have enough volume for a new brand extension or a taste profile they want to provide to the bourbon community that might not get anywhere else. One unique, and I think welcomed perk, is these are released in a 375 mL bottle allowing more people to have access to tasting and sharing!
I was lucky enough to be off the morning Old Forester sent out the email of the release and I went to the distillery in downtown Louisville, KY. I arrived about 30 minutes before the doors opened and there was a line of around 50 people ahead of me. Upon opening, small groups were let in for coffee, baked goods and a tasting with new Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. He introduced himself, walked us through the pour and welcomed us to the distillery.
What is the Angel’s Share?
The Angel’s Share refers to the amount of liquid lost to evaporation due to high temperatures in the warehouse where bourbon barrels age. High temperatures in the warehouse heats up the barrel and causes the liquid water molecules to evaporate and turn into a gas. The evaporated water molecules are small enough to escape the barrel while the alcohol molecule is too large to leave the barrel under high temperatures. This leads to some barrels having a small volume of bourbon but a higher than expected proof and extremely concentrated flavors! The liquid evaporating up into the heavens leads to the term, The Angel’s Share.
Old Forester High Angel’s Share is a collection of barrels that lost a significant amount of bourbon to evaporation (the Angel’s Share) and were batched together. Individually these barrels wouldn’t be enough for even a small release. Old Forester uses heat cycled warehouses to move their bourbon in and out of the barrel’s wood more frequently. This process can help avoid dormancy that a non-heat cycled warehouse experiences in colder months of the year and potentially speeds up the bourbon’s aging process. The heat cycling process can affect the amount of the Angel’s Share lost in each barrel.
Old Forester 117 Series In-Depth Release List
Since the 117 Series launch in March 2021, Old Forester has released three different expressions per year. These are mainly a gift shop release with only a small amount reaching retailers. Normally after the initial release date, for a few weeks if guests book a tour they will have the ability to purchase two bottles of the newest 117 Series release.
| Expression | Release Date |
| High Angel’s Share Batch 1 | March 2021 |
| Warehouse K | August 2021 |
| High Angel’s Share Batch 2 | November 2021 |
| 1910 Extra Old | February 2022 |
| Whiskey Row Fire | July 2022 |
| 1910 Extra Extra Old | December 2022 |
| Warehouse H | February 2023 |
| Bottled In Bond | July 2023 |
| Scotch Cask Finish | December 2023 |
| High Angel’s Share Batch 3 | March 2024 |
| Rum Cask Finish | July 2024 |
| Warehouse I | December 2024 |
| 1910 Extra Old Batch 2 | Janurary 2025 |
Old Forester High Angel’s Share Batch 3 In-Depth Review
- Distillery: Old Forester
- Age: NAS
- Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
- Mashbill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
- MSRP: $59.99 (375 mL Bottle)
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!
Color – This is a dark aged amber that reminds me of an old worn out penny. Much darker than I was expecting.
Aroma – When I was pouring the bourbon into the glencairn, hints of a dark sweetness filled the air. When I officially approached the glen, there was a nice candied orange sweetness intermingled with brown sugar and subtle oak. There is a nice thickness when I swirl my glen with very little alcohol on the nose.
Taste – The palate had a lot of spice and more alcohol than I anticipated after nosing. Initially the candied oranges hit my palate but they are quickly swallowed by alcohol. Old Forester proofed this at 110 but it drinks hotter than that. I would have guessed closer to 120 proof. A mouthfeel that coats my palate nicely. There is some brown sugar, oak and a hint of citrus sweetness. I revisited this pour a few times and my palate was just overpowered with alcohol.
Finish – A strong finish that is flavorful, intense and lingers a moderate amount of time then dissipates quickly. Most of the action is above the collarbone which leaves me wanting a little more Kentucky hug in the chest.
Rating – 6.5/10
Thoughts – Like most Old Forester products, this needs more time in the barrel. It drank really hot and the alcohol masked many of the more subtle tasting notes I was expecting. The nose was great and I really hoped it was going to transfer into the taste and finish. I really enjoy Old Forester that has been aged 8+ years, but the 4-7 year old Old Forester always drinks hot to me. I don’t know the actual age on this but I would guess 5-7 years. Old Forester has a huge following and their products are beloved but the heat cycling experiment just hasn’t work for me.
I scored this lower than I thought I would but I had high expectations. I would really like to taste this proofed around 90 or 100 proof. I think the flavors would still be able to shine but maybe the alcohol would be more tame. I prefer the Whiskey Row 1920 or 1910 to this bottle or an Old Forester Barrel Proof Single Barrel simple because of availability, cost and quality. Yet another reason to avoid the fear of missing out and try some every day drinkers than can always be found on the shelf. I love what the 117 Series is about and I hope Old Forester keeps the new expressions rolling on out.
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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