I am a big fan of Old Forester’s Whisky Row Series. I have often used the 1897 Bottled in Bond version in tastings a representative of bottled in bond bourbon. The 1920 Prohibition style at 115 proof is probably my favorite of the Whiskey Row series. The internet has been a buzz about the 1924 edition, which is a 100 proof ten year old bourbon with a different lower rye mashbill than typical Old Forester (17% rye), but rather is the 10% rye mashbill they use in Early Times. This one is a bit pricey at $130, but fora ten year old limited release bourbon from Kentucky and not Indiana, well, that’s the market today.

The color on this bourbon is a nice deep amber with some mahogany flecks. This bottled in bond bourbon is definitely showing its age and was not proofed down tremendously to reach 100 proof. On the swirl are nice oily droplets and film; some pretty nice legs. Again, this reflects that they didn’t have to proof this down too much to teach 100 proof. On the nose are raisins, prunes, vanilla, black cherry, caramel, along with floral and oak notes. Tremendously complex and gratifying on the nose. On the palate, the raisins and cherries mingled with caramelized brown sugar, graham cracker, and vanilla extract, with a nice syrupy mouthfeel. On the finish, the flavors on the palate are enhanced with baking spices and oak, with the finish being long and lingering. 

This is a statement some will find controversial, but I really think the 1924 is better than some editions of the Old Forester Birthday Bourbons I have tried. At the bottom of things, this is a solid old school bourbon with a straightforward delicious flavor profile that isn’t cloyingly complex, that feeds nicely into the finish which while long and lingering is quite pleasant. At the price point, I am not mad that I bought this to taste what the internet bourbon groups are talking about. If this were to drop in the future to a sub-$100 price point, this would be something I would buy regularly. To me, the 1920 Prohibition Style remains the best buy in Old Forester’s Whisky Row lineup.