Old Forester 117 Scotch Cask Finish, New 117 Series Release
Hold onto your whiskey glasses, folks, because Old Forester® is back with a new release in the acclaimed 117 Series. Introducing the Old Forester 117 Series Scotch Cask Finish release. This interesting twist in the Old Forester 117 Series was developed in honor of founder George Gavin Brown’s Scottish heritage.
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Nonetheless, this allocated bourbon is featured on our 2023 bourbon release calendar for the month of December. We review everything whiskey lovers need to know from price to proof. Introducing a special bottle that pays homage to Brown’s Gaelic heritage!
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, Bottled In Bond, and now Scotch Cask Finish.
Scotch Cask Finish
One of the more popular trends in the whiskey industry over the last few years has been finishing Kentucky bourbons in a variety of other casks. However, Scotch casks hasn’t really been a common offering.
As mentioned, this Old Forester 117 Series Scotch Cask Finish Bourbon takes inspiration from legendary founder George Garvin Brown’s Scottish roots. This limited edition release features barrels sourced from the beloved Speyside region in northeastern Scotland. This 117 Series release features a unique flavor profile thanks to the sherry and wine barrels sourced from that legendary Scotch-making region across the pond.
“This release is special to the family history our brand was built on,” said Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift. “We’ve been creating top-quality, rare and innovative expressions for 150 years, and this scotch whiskey captures our founder’s spirit in another rich and smooth liquid, which I recommend serving neat.”
Review & Tasting Notes
TheOld Forester Scotch Cask Finish 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 Scotch Cask Finish release:
Now, onto the star of the show—Scotch Cask Finish! 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. Now even blending subcategories within the larger Whiskey category from distinctly different styles.
Here’s a little taste of what you can expect (pun intended): the nose of this delightful creation gently whispers of smoky char, as if a seasoned chef had sprinkled it with magic. Milky chocolate dances over a bed of buttery shortbread, joined by a parade of mulled, spiced fruit. It’s a symphony of flavors, just waiting to tempt your taste buds. The flavor is like a mix of succulent baked apples and juicy dried fruits dancing together on your palate. Imagine the delightful company of rich toffee, spicy cinnamon, and decadent chocolate, all playfully coming together to create a symphony of flavor. Next, toasted almonds and a hint of smoky char join the party, adding an irresistible crunch and a dash of intrigue. And the grand finale? The finish is silky smooth and buttery, with hints of cocoa and baking spices that linger on your palate. It all culminates in an earthy and oaky finish that will leave you wanting more.
Old Forester Scotch Cask Finish has a solid punch at 93-proof. You can snag a bottle today at the Old Forester Distilling Co. retail shop or in select states for direct-to-consumer sales. With its limited distribution, this unique gem is priced at a cool $59.99 so it makes for a great surprise if you still haven’t found the bourbon lover on our Christmas list the perfect gift.
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: subtle hints of smoky char, milk chocolate drizzled over shortbread accompanied by mulled, spiced fruit
Palate
Taste: baked apples and dried fruits with rich notes of toffee, cinnamon and chocolate rounded out by toasted almonds and smoky char
Finish
silky and buttery with cocoa and baking spices lingering into an earthy and oaky finish
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Release Date & Availability
TheOld Forester 117 Bottled In Bond bourbon will begin to hit shelves December 12, 2023. It will be available in a limited number of retailers through the brand’s current national distribution zone, as well as the Old Forester Distilling Co. gift shop in Louisville, KY.
Proof & ABV
TheOld Forester 117 Series Bottled In Bond bourbon release is bottled at 93 proof. The93-proofing is the equivalent of 46.5% ABV.
Mash Bill
The mash bill ofOld Forester 117 Series Scotch Cask Finish 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 Scotch Cask Finish 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 Scotch Cask Finish bourbon could raise to more than $175, if you can find it for sale. Cheers to tradition and a wee bit of Scottish magic!
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