Old Forester 117 Bottled In Bond, Latest 117 Series Release
Hold onto your whiskey glasses, folks, because Old Forester® is back with their latest release in the acclaimed 117 Series. Introducing the Old Forester 117 Series Bottled In Bond release. This bourbon release follows the strict rules of the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act, meaning it’s distilled in one season from start to finish. In this instance, this distillate was produced during the damp and steamy late Spring of 2014.
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Nonetheless, this allocated bourbon is featured on our 2023 bourbon release calendar for the month of July. We review everything whiskey lovers need to know from price to proof.
Old Forester 117 Series
The Old Forester 117 Series gets its name from the distillery’s address, more specifically the Main Street number where it resides in Louisville, Kentucky. This New Bourbon release is part of a 375ml line that began in the spring of 2021. The first bottle released was High Angel’s Share, followed by Warehouse K, 1910 Extra Old, Whiskey Row Fire, and now Bottled In Bond.
Bottled In Bond
What’s the big deal about being “bottled in bond,” you ask? Well, it’s an official term that guarantees the quality and authenticity of aged spirits. Each barrel is crafted in a single distillation season by one distillery. And get this—the spirit has to mature in a designated U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years and be bottled at a solid 50% ABV. That’s some formidable firepower (literally, it’s 100 proof).
Melissa Rift, the Old Forester Master Taster extraordinaire, explains the historical significance of Bottled in Bond for the brand. George Garvin Brown, the OG bourbon pioneer, basically paved the way for quality assurance with Old Forester’s very first bottled bourbon. He did this long before it became a mandatory law. Talk about being ahead of the curve. This 117 Series release gives us a unique chance to savor a small batch of bonded liquid that’s evolved from that special distillation season.
“The heritage of Old Forester is uniquely tied to the Bottled in Bond movement as George Garvin Brown’s first bottled bourbon really set the stage for quality guarantee decades before the historic law went into effect,” said Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift. “This bonded expression as part of the 117 Series is a fantastic opportunity to look at a very small batch of bonded liquid and how it has developed from that single season to the offering we are launching today.”
Review & Tasting Notes
TheOld Forester 117 Bottled In Bond release is the newest addition to the Old Forester 117 Series. The collection is essentially a special release program featuring unique expressions.
Quick notes on this limited edition Old Forester 117 Series Bottled In Bond release:
Now, onto the star of the show—Bottled in Bond! It’s the freshest addition to the 117 Series lineup, a collection that pushes the boundaries of bourbon making. The folks at Old Forester are all about innovation and experimentation, and this release is no exception.
Here’s a little taste of what you can expect (pun intended): the nose is a delightful blend of sugary stewed blackberries, caramelized apricots, and sweet dates, all wrapped up in a ribbon of nutty goodness and crowned with a dollop of whipped cream. The flavor is like a lavish symphony of caramelized fruits, with a touch of spearmint playing coy in the background. And the grand finale? Dried fruits make way for creamy goodness, with a lingering herbal tea finish that’ll leave you feeling oh-so satisfied.
Old Forester 117 Series Bottled in Bond has a solid punch at 100-proof. You can snag a bottle today at the Old Forester Distilling Co. retail shop or in select states for direct-to-consumer sales. Hurry though, because this gem is limited in quantity and priced at a cool $59.99.
In case you’re new to the bourbon scene, Old Forester is the OG of Brown-Forman’s family. They’ve been doing their thing since 1870, thanks to the visionary George Garvin Brown. He believed that Old Forester was the epitome of purity and consistency, so he sealed it, signed it, and proudly declared, “There is nothing better in the market.” Can’t argue with that level of confidence.
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Color
Bronze
Nose
Aroma: Confectionary notes of stewed blackberries, caramelized apricot and sweet dates rounded out by a sweet nuttiness and topped with whipped cream
Palate
Taste: Rich medley of caramelized fruits with a subtle hint of spearmint
Finish
Dried fruits give way to heavy cream with an herbal tea finish
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Release Date & Availability
TheOld Forester 117 Bottled In Bond bourbon will begin to hit shelves July 18, 2022. It will be available in a limited number of retailers through the brand’s current national distribution zone, as well as the Brown-Forman gift shop in Louisville, KY.
Proof & ABV
TheOld Forester 117 Series Bottled In Bond bourbon release is bottled at 100 proof. The100-proofing is the equivalent of 50% ABV.
Mash Bill
The mash bill ofOld Forester 117 Series 1910 Extra Old bourbon is assumed to share the same recipe as the standard Old Forester 1910 expression. It has been known to use a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley mashbill.
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MSRP & Secondary Price
This 2023 Limited EditionOld Forester 117 Series Bottled In Bond bourbon release is available in a 350ml bottle which resembles a similar looking bottle the distillery uses for the most of its releases. Old Forester 117 BIB bourbon has an MSRP of $60.
So, suggested retail pricing is officially set for $60. However, secondary prices forOld Forester 117 Bottled In Bond bourbon are expected to raise to $250, if you can find it for sale.
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