Old Forester The 117 Series: High Angels' Share Barrels

This is batch 3, costing around $65. Clearly, finding this was pure luck; I wasn't specifically looking for it. Nose - It's potent. To be transparent, I'm using a copita, which might not be the ideal glass. Notes of oak, oak, and more oak. It's intense and astringent... yet, I find myself enjoying it. Pulling back, you'll discover lovely vanilla, banana foster, and rich, smoky, toasted marshmallow. Taste - Rich and full of flavor. At 110 proof, it's so rich you could mistake it for higher proof. The finish could benefit from more oils for that effect, but as a beverage, it's excellent as is. It's fruity, yet possesses heavy oak and char... it's big, it's bold. Wow. I need to add water to properly describe this. Somehow, that occasionally metallic and off-putting note found in Old Forester has been masked by oak and transformed into a wonderfully spice-forward drink. It's delightful from start to finish. For those seeking more detailed notes: expect chocolate, smoked vanilla, bananas, cream, charred and smoked oak, with a fruity, pie-like quality. I'm incredibly impressed. It's an intense flavor explosion upfront, but not a deeply nuanced whisky. I'm giving it a surprisingly high 3.25, and I'd rate it even higher based on personal enjoyment. This embodies everything I desire in bourbon, aside from nuanced and complex age! Frankly, it has more of that than I'm letting on. There's depth here, but it's delivered so intensely that it's challenging to fully explore and savor.

Neat. Sample. I like this aroma. It matches what I expect from Old Forester 1920, with an added layer of complexity to explore. It's a full banana split sundae, with strawberry on one side and butterscotch on the other. The strawberry is surprisingly more noticeable than the banana. There's a pleasant hint of smokiness and char. Wow, I even detected notes of peaches and pound cake. This aroma is very engaging. Alright, the initial experience wasn't quite what I anticipated. The texture is a bit ordinary. The first flavor on the tongue was sweet mint. I'm going to pause and revisit, that was unusual… Returning to it, the initial impression remains the same. It shifts to pound cake with banana candies. The finish brings strawberry and vanilla. The char and smokiness now appear from the mid-palate through the finish. However, the strawberry is the dominant flavor on the finish. Remarkable aroma, underwhelming taste. The flavor felt disconnected and lacked the deliciousness suggested by the aroma. The finish is pleasant, though. The strawberry gives it a distinctive character compared to other OF expressions. This sample makes me less inclined to purchase a bottle.

First batch Smells like aged books; deep caramel; raspberry preserves; vanilla frosting; bananas covered in brown sugar; graham crackers; plums Taste brings a surge of cherries; sweet honey; apple pie filling; cinnamon; smooth vanilla; damp, musty wood End is lengthy, thick; graham crackers; burnt cream; sticky caramel Simply amazing. Superior to this year's birthday bourbon & I detect many parallels to the 2018 OFBB (which I think is outstanding). The aroma is among the best I've encountered recently. The palate begins with a syrupy mouthfeel, abundant rich dark fruits & sweetness, the characteristic Old Forester banana note. The finish is extended, rich, and dark. Notes of creme brulee & old musty wood complete this. The palate could possess slightly more depth, but this remains a superb whisky

This is the ideal for Old Forester… not excessively spicy, not too potent, not too plain, and not too dull. Precisely correct in every way. The 110 proof is a perfect level, surpassing many of their standard offerings and just under the 1920 expression. The 150 series holds up well with the age and flavor profile but is just a touch too strong. A velvety texture with brown sugar as the primary flavor. The finish and the Kentucky hug are notable for its proof level but conclude at the exact right moment. This ranks among my top 10 pours ever.

I enjoy it. I admit I give high ratings to things I truly appreciate, but that's just how I feel about bourbon. You have to really mess up to get a low score from me. That said, this may be the finest Old Forester product I've experienced. The best way I can describe it is like drinking a light, bright whiskey and a dark, heavy bourbon simultaneously. It's a bit intense, but intensity reminds us we're alive. Don't spend much over the suggested price for this, but if it's under $100, get one. If it's $70, get two or three

This highly sought-after rarity genuinely meets expectations; OF 117 is a treasure. It manages to be both subtle and bold, making it a truly perfect whiskey. While superior to the OF 1920, it doesn't completely overshadow it, which highlights how remarkable it is that Old Forester consistently produces such great and accessible spirits. However, make no mistake – 117 is exceptional, representing the pinnacle of the OF flavor profile.