Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon Review

Old Forester
The 117 Series
1910 Extra Extra Old
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch 002 / Release Date July 2025
93 Proof
SRP: $64.99
Review

Please enjoy our Old Forester The 117 Series 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon Review!

Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old

Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old is an extended age version of Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky. To understand this whisky, we have to take a short look back into Old Forester’s history. On October 22, 1910, a fire broke out on Old Forester’s bottling line in Louisville. A batch of mature whisky, already dumped from barrels and waiting to be bottled, had to be saved. To do so, it was re-barreled. Years later, Old Forester 1910 was created to commemorate this event. For that expression, mature Old Forester Bourbon is proofed down to 100 and then re-barreled into a heavily charred barrel. It is then aged for an undisclosed time before bottling.

The 117 Series

Old Forester’s 117 Series is an ongoing, limited-release line of experimental whiskies bottled in 375-milliliter bottles. The series was originally launched in 2021 by former Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan. The “117” refers to Old Forester’s original address on Whiskey Row – 117 West Main St.

There have been two releases in The 117 Series built off of 1910 Old Fine Whisky. Old Forester Extra Old is an extended aged version of 1910, with the bourbon remaining in the heavily charred secondary barrel for 18 months. The subject of this review, Old Forester The 117 Series Extra Extra Old extends this secondary aging even longer, for a full 24 months. So, what’s it like?

Tasting Notes: Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Brown sugar, toffee, lightly burnt dark caramel, dry oak, hints of char; tart orange peel; dark cherries; tannins; mild leather; relatively mild alcohol – appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Lightly burnt caramel, brown sugar, tannins, tart orange peel, leather, dry oak
👉🏻Finish: Dry oak, leather, tannins, white pepper; hints of cherries; quite dry; lingering smoky char; long

The nose is quite rich and begins with brown sugar, toffee, lightly burnt dark caramel and dry oak. Tart orange peel and dark cherries are in the background. There are also some tannins and a touch of barrel char. Mild leather becomes more noticeable over time. The alcohol vapor is relatively mild, befitting the 93 proof.

The taste has a similar character, with lightly burnt caramel, sweet brown sugar, dry oak, tannins and tart orange peel. There is a bit of leather, as well. The finish turns quite dry with dry oak, leather, tannins and subtle cherries. In addition, smoky barrel char becomes increasingly noticeable, but remains fairly mild. There is some white pepper spice as well. The dry oak, char, tannins, leather and white pepper linger for quite a long time. The finish is long, with a pleasant warmth.

Summary – Old Forester The 117 Series 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon Review

This bourbon is very appropriately named, not only for how it was produced, but it gives a clear idea of what to expect. The older barrel flavors, char, tannins and dry oak are not hiding in this one, and are noticeable throughout. I find it interesting that leather is present from start to finish as well. Even though this whiskey is older than the standard 1910, it is not that old, so the degree of leather is a bit surprising to me. It must have something to do with the heavy char level.

Conclusion

All in all, Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon is an excellent bourbon for my tastes. It has a richness to it with confectionary notes early on, yet the barrel flavors and effects of the heavy char and age are also there from start to finish. If you enjoy a bourbon with these characteristics, and aren’t afraid of a little smoky barrel char, tannins, and dry oak, then this is definitely one to try! Have you had it? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old Bourbon Review! Next, learn what it is like to visit the distillery in our Old Forester Distillery Tour Review! Also, read our Old Forester 2025 Birthday Bourbon Review.

This sample was graciously provided by the brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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