Old Forester Whiskey Row Series 1924 was announced in January 2024 to honor the 100th anniversary of that whiskey innovation. Old Forester is also the only bourbon brand produced before, during and after Prohibition. In 2025 the bottle was released again in January.
According to the original press release,“ We are honored to commemorate this historical milestone with a new featured mash bill and a beautiful 10-year age statement,’ Master Taster Melissa Rift said. “It allows whisky lovers to taste just how dynamic our brand can be while staying rooted in our rich history.”
The Whiskey Row series now includes:
- 1870 Original Batch
- 1897 Bottled in Bond
- 1910 Old Fine Whisky
- 1920 Prohibition Style
- 1924 10-year-old
Each highlights a distinguishable moment in the brand’s 153-year history garnering its place in the series and standing among Old Forester’s legacy. For this release the date signifies when Owsley Brown took barrels of whiskey with different mash bills to a warehouse on Howard Street in Louisville, KY and bottled them as Old Forester.
Bourbon Review: Old Forester 1924
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Age: 10 Years
Mash Bill: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery
Bottled By: Old Forester Distilling Co.
Location: Louisville, KY (USA)
The Nose: Warm fudge rises from the glass effortlessly right from the initial pour. Letting the glass sit for a few minutes as I write the introduction to the review sees the aroma open up with elements of oak, barley, oats and a touch of cinnamon sticks.
The Taste: Our initial sip sees a thick oily mouthfeel with notes of plum, graham cracker and chocolate covered bing cherries. The flavor is rich and delightful. Subsequent sips see maple, vanilla frosting and brown sugar.
The Finish: The front of the finish sees raspberries giving way to a subtle dryness of cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and a lasting leather component.
Conclusion: Maybe it’s because I have been drinking a lot of high proof bourbons lately, but the Old Forester 1924 is very easy to sip. In fact, it might be too easy as I didn’t realize how quick I went through the pour in the picture attached to this review. The 1924 has a wonderful sweetness to the flavor profile and herein could be the problem for some as I know I need to be in the mood for a bourbon with this much sweetness.
The big question for me is if the new mash bill (Old Forester usually uses 72% corn; 18% rye and 10% malted barley) and age statement are enough for me to spend nearly double the price of Old Forester 1920. The answer for me is yes, with an asterisk. That asterisk has to do with me being a big fan of the brand and my bar currently has every offering with the exception of Birthday Bourbon which has become my holy grail in terms of sought after bourbons.
Score: 93
Price $119.99 (750ml)
