Old Forester 117 Series - 1910 Extra Extra Old

Some releases feel like they were meant to stay under the radar… until you actually get a pour in your glass. This 117 Series 1910 Extra Extra Old is one of those bottles. It doesn’t come in a flashy size, it doesn’t chase hazmat proof points—but what it does offer is something Old Forester has always done well: depth, balance, and just enough creativity to keep things interesting.

And in this case, they leaned all the way into it.

A Bit of History

Old Forester is one of the true heritage brands in bourbon—dating back to 1870, when George Garvin Brown introduced it as the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. That mattered back then, when quality control was…let’s just say inconsistent. Old Forester built its name on trust and consistency—and remarkably, it’s one of the few bourbon brands that has been continuously produced before, during, and after Prohibition.

The “1910” in Old Forester 1910 isn’t just a number—it’s one of those great bourbon stories where a mistake turned into something lasting. Back in October 1910, a fire broke out on Louisville’s Whiskey Row and shut down Old Forester’s bottling line. The problem? They already had a batch of fully matured whiskey sitting there, ready to be bottled. 

With no way to bottle it—and not willing to waste it — the team made a decision that was more practical than intentional: they dumped the whiskey back into new, freshly charred oak barrels to sit until operations could resume. 

What happened next is what makes this so interesting. That extra time in a second barrel completely changed the whiskey. It picked up richer sugars, deeper color, and a smoother, more dessert-like profile. It didn’t taste like their standard bourbon anymore—it was something new. So they gave it a new name: “Very Old Fine Whisky.”  And just like that—completely by accident—you had what many consider the first documented “double-barreled” or double-oaked bourbon.

Fast forward to today, and that same brand is still finding ways to experiment.

Enter the 117 Series—a lineup of small-batch, distillery-driven releases named after Louisville’s Main Street address (117 W. Main). These are essentially Old Forester’s test kitchen pours. Different finishes, warehouse experiments, barrel treatments—it’s where tradition meets curiosity without straying too far from what makes Old Forester … Old Forester.

The Tasting

This 375ml bottle carries the traditional Old Forester Whiskey Row series of labels and shares this is the 1910 Extra Extra Old experimental release from July 2025. It’s bottled at 93 proof and cost about $60 at a regional food store chain in Kentucky. And this particular release? It takes the already beloved 1910 profile and pushes it further — finishing it for a full 24 months in a heavily charred secondary barrel. Not a quick finish. Not a light tweak. A full commitment.

Eye: Very dark — deep amber, leaning toward mahogany. You can tell immediately this has spent some extra time in wood. Evenly spaced legs glide down the glass, lighting up a Glencairn in a way that hints at richness to come.

Nose: Dessert-like right out of the gate. Strong vanilla leads, followed by crème brûlée and a rich Bananas Foster note that feels warm and caramelized. Marzipan adds a soft nuttiness, and milk chocolate rounds everything out. What stands out here—it never tips into over-oaked territory. Just smooth, sweet, layered deliciousness.

Palate: Oh gosh—this is where it all comes together. Rich. Silky. Coating. It has that full, almost velvety mouthfeel that makes you pause for a second. Everything from the nose carries through in stride—vanilla, caramelized sugars, chocolate, soft fruit notes—all working together without crowding each other out. This is dessert bourbon in the best possible way. Exceptional. Just exceptional.

Finish: Medium-long, settling into deep vanilla and a steady oak backbone. It lingers in a way that feels complete—not rushed, not overwhelming.

Overall

Proof that good things do come in small packages. At 375ml, it’s easy to overlook—or hesitate on—but once you get into it, this is one of those bottles that reminds you why Old Forester continues to matter in today’s bourbon landscape.

It’s rich without being heavy. Sweet without being cloying. Layered without trying too hard. 

And honestly?  If you come across this on a shelf, it’s not one to admire from a distance.

Pick it up. Open it. Pour it. Share it. Because bottles like this aren’t meant to collect dust—they’re meant to create moments.