Tasting the Old Forester 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Release

Up for review today is Old Forester’s limited release, 117 Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon. All the details on the 2023 release can be found in the Bourbon Lens archives. Is this a release that you’ve been hunting this year? Let’s dive in!

About 117 Series Bottled in Bond Bourbon:

Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Designation: Bottled in Bond
Proof: 100
Age: Distilled in Spring 2014 (estimating 8-9 years with bottling time)
MSRP: $59.99/375mL

Scott’s Tasting Notes:

Nose: Oaky, woody, sugared cake doughnut, and a slight ethanol burn, with a charred banana note (bananas foster?)
Palate: full flavored bourbon with most of its traditional bourbon notes amped up. These include French vanilla, toasted oak, cherry cobbler, and a faint banana note (possibly remnants from the nose)
Finish: long, warming finish with vanilla cake lingering

Closing Thoughts

As a fan of the 100 Proof “Signature” Old Forester, this has a certain familiarity, albeit with quite a bit more wood influence and depth of flavor on the mid-palate. There’s just something about a high quality bourbon at 100 proof. Given that this is a limited release bottling, it may be extremely difficult to find. However, with a simple stroll into most liquor stores, you’ll be well-suited to venture to the bourbon aisle and grab yourself a bottle of the classic, Old Forester Signature Bourbon, or step up to the 1897 Bottled in Bond from their Whiskey Row Series. If you luck into a bottle on the shelf at retail prices, you certainly won’t be disappointed to add this to your bar.

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