‘Intense caramel:’ Old Forester doubles down on char for new special edition whisky
A new release from Old Forester looks to recreate the result of an accident more than a century ago that led to a special whisky.
On Oct. 22, 1910, according to Brown-Forman, a fire on the bottling line in Louisville halted production. Mature Old Forester bourbon that had been waiting to be bottled was instead stored for a time in a second barrel. What emerged was something special: A better whisky, deserving of its own label, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky.
Now, the distillery is taking it a step further: Under the guidance of master taster Jackie Zykan, they’ve aged that 1910 Old Fine Whisky an extra 18 months in a secondary barrel, creating 1910 Extra Old.
“This release in The 117 Series is a curious exploration into the intensity of the proprietary heavily charred 1910 barrel,” master taster Jackie Zykan said. “This liquid was allowed to rest for 18 months in this secondary barrel, extracting significantly more of the heavily charred influence.”
The result is a bourbon with intense caramel notes, with a nose of dark brown sugar, sugared pecan and rich chocolate and a palate that transitions from sweet to spicy dried tobacco, according to the tasting notes. The finish has notes of green apple and raw walnut.
Old Forester 1910 Extra Old: Where to buy, price, proof
Old Forester 1910 Extra Old is 93 proof, has a suggested retail price of $49.99 and will available beginning Feb. 23 at the retail shop at the Old Forester Distilling Co. at 119 W. Main St. in Louisville and at select Kentucky stores. It’s also available for direct-to-consumer sales in some states.
The limited edition is the latest release in The 117 Series, an experimental line that debuted in Spring 2021, the first Old Forester editions under the signature of a woman.
