Old Forester 1910 Extra Old Bourbon Review (117 Series, 2025)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

The brand history behind this latest release from Old Forester, the 1910 Extra Old Bourbon in their 117 Series, is actually a little convoluted. It began as an extension of the 1910 Fine Old Whiskey from 2018, which we were unable to write-up. In its turn, the 117 Series is a limited edition of periodic or one-shot limited edition whiskeys that started in 2021, and was very much under the stewardship of then-Master Taster Jackie Zykan. The 1910 Extra Old was first introduced as part the second installment of that series, with the “extra old” part referring to the 18 months of heavy char, new oak finishing the bourbon received.

The double new oak treatment is quite prominent at Old Forester and Woodford Reserve, since legend has it the process originated in a pre-Prohibition era production accident and, as a modern practice, was first developed for Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

The total age is unknown, but it’s a good guess that this is the standard Old Forester given the extra year and a half in the heavily charred, new oak barrels. Brown-Forman has made those barrels for Old Forester itself at its cooperage in Louisville until now, but it was announced recently that this cooperage would be closed as a cost-cutting measure. The Master Taster who oversaw this 1910 Extra Old is Melissa Rift. The whiskey is bottled at 93 proof and comes in a 375ml, half-sized bottle.

The Bourbon
Reflecting the heavy char spin on the double new oak treatment, the bourbon has a dark, deep red slant to its amber coloring. With that in mind, the nose was surprisingly light. The sweet current ran with molasses and vanilla, accented by hints of spicy wood and nuts.

The flavor runs stronger, keeping the brown sugar and vanilla, now accented with nutmeg, up front. What I found surprising was the wholesale absence of the traditional Old Forester banana note. It’s as if it was washed out by the year and a half in the heavily charred, new oak finish. Instead, the wood and nuts join the rest of the cast in taking a full step forward. The finish runs with a touch of spicy cinnamon before fading down to just the oak.

The Price
The recommended price on this item is $64.99. Keeping in mind that it is a half-bottle, though, it is more useful to think of it as $130: you both pay and get half as much, right?