Last year, Old Forester released a bourbon called 1924 as part of its Whiskey Row series, and apparently fans of the distillery took a shine to it because the bourbon sold out in a matter of weeks. Well, we have good news, bourbon fans, because the distillery announced today that 1924 is back for a second round, but based on last year’s rollout you better snag a bottle sooner than later.
Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series includes four other expressions—1870 Original Batch, 1897 Bottled in Bond, 1910 Old Fine Whisky, and 1920 Prohibition Style—each varying in proof, age, batch size, and other technical details. The 1924 was released last year to celebrate the vaguely termed “100th year of whiskey innovation” at Old Forester, but what that refers to is the period when the distillery was one of just a few that were allowed to operate during Prohibition to make medicinal whiskey (just six licenses were granted by the government). In 1924, Old Forester obtained barrels of whiskey from other less lucky distilleries that were forced to close, and released them under its own name even though they were made from different mashbills.
To mark that occasions, instead of being made from the usual Old Forester mashbill ( 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, 10 percent malted barley), 1924 has more corn and less rye in its recipe (79 percent corn, 11 percent rye, 10 percent malted barley). The whiskey is aged for ten years and bottled at 100 proof. “With a new mash bill and 10-year age statement, 1924 features a unique taste unlike any other Old Forester expression, but fits perfectly within our storytelling Whiskey Row series,” said master taster Melissa Rift in a statement. “After such a quick sell-out last year, this re-release gives more whiskey drinkers the chance to taste– and love–this dynamic expression.” We haven’t gotten to try this year’s release yet, but official tasting notes describe fudge, marzipan, and tobacco on the nose, and a very specific “chocolate-covered graham cracker dusted with cinnamon” on the palate.
Old Forester 1924 goes on sale at the Whiskey Row distillery in Louisville starting January 10 with a price tag of $120, and will hit the secondary market shortly thereafter. You can still find bottles of last year’s release available to purchase from websites like ReserveBar, but be prepared to pay more than triple its original asking price. So if you’re a dedicated Old Forester fan, start looking for bottles of this re-release early to get a good deal.
