Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I Review [In Depth]

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I

by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I Details

Distillery: Old Forester

Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA

Alcohol: 47.5%

Composition: No idea what mashbill they’re using

Aged: At least 11 years

Color: 1.4/2.0 on the color scale (tawny)

Price: $65 (375ml)

From the press release

LOUISVILLE, KY, December 5, 2024 – Today marks the 91th Anniversary of Repeal Day and Old Forester is celebrating the end of Prohibition with the release of a new, limited-edition expression: Warehouse I.

The latest addition to the 117 series features 11-year-old bourbon that brings a unique flavor profile to capture the holiday spirit.

Each bottle of the limited-edition whisky comes from barrels aged in Old Forester’s Warehouse I, resulting in a flavor profile distinct to the warehouse’s unique maturation environment. These Warehouse I barrels were heat-cycled since 2013 and chosen exclusively from the hottest floors, Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo.

“Our 117 series is all about experimentation, and the characteristics of Warehouse I make it perfect for this innovative series,” Master Taster Melissa Rift added. “This one-of-a-kind bourbon is a great way to celebrate the holidays.”

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I overview

If this review reads a little weird, it’s because I didn’t read any of the specs before drinking and reviewing this. It’s not quite a blind review because I sort of knew what I was drinking, but I didn’t know that this is 11 years old. I don’t do it this way all the time, but it’s exciting to do it like this every now and then.

Anyway, Old Forster 117 Series is a line of limited edition whiskeys that allow Old Forester to do smaller-scale releases that are probably difficult / impossible to sell nationally all the time. Warehouse I (the letter I and not the number 1) is an 11 year old bourbon that only comes from the upper floors of warehouse I. To borrow from the press release, “These Warehouse I barrels were heat-cycled since 2013 and chosen exclusively from the hottest floors”.

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This release celebrates the 91st anniversary of the end of Prohibition (yay!). I don’t really understand how this release is related to Prohibition ending, except that it’s booze, but I won’t think too hard about that.

Let’s find out what Old Forester pulls out to celebrate the end of Prohibition in this Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I review.

This sample was provided at no cost to me. All opinions are still my own.

As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I smell

I smell dark caramel wrapped in toasted oak, dried cherry and red apple, cinnamon, vanilla, dried orange peel, and some nutmeg and dark chocolate, and banana with well controlled heat. There’s nice density, variety, and fragrance.

The nose is very dark and oaky, although not overly oaky, but definitely enough to smell 10-12 years old. It feels a lot like Old Forester 1924 10 Year, which is a good association because that’s an amazing bourbon. It also smells similar to the Four Roses OBSV Single Barrel I recently reviewed, which was also sweet and fruity wrapped up in a lot of oak, albeit well controlled oak.

With swirling and rest, I smell caramel, candied orange peel + cherry + apple, roasted oak, cinnamon, banana, coconut, candied walnuts, and a little herbal fennel. Old Forester 117 Warehouse I is a dark and decadent bourbon with really good fullness and variety.

Learn more about Old Forester 1924 Bourbon

This might sound odd because I’ve been very complimentary, but I wouldn’t say that it’s particularly complex. The scents are fragrant and interesting, but they don’t really evolve over time, and the definition is good but not amazing. More clarity and definition, which is hard to explain unless you’re experiencing yourself, would make a big difference.

Overall though, this smells great and I’m very happy with just about everything.

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I taste and aftertaste

I taste caramel, baked red apple, dried cherry, roasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon, cola, and a little tobacco. Old Forester 117 Warehouse I is dark, woody, mature, and cola-forward. I didn’t do any research before doing this review, so I suspect that this is a blend of 8-12 year barrels from warehouse I (I only know the warehouse from the name).

A few sips in and I’m already hooked. It’s delicious with rich sweetness, dark fruit, oak, and spice that outperform the ABV. This honestly doesn’t feel that far off from some of my experiences with Birthday Bourbon and Old Forester 1924

With intense “chewing” I get dense caramel and baked red apple, followed by roasted oak, vanilla, toasted nougat and coconut, cinnamon, and candied walnuts. This in no way feels like 95 proof. The flavors have great expressiveness and fullness that make this gentler bourbon (at least proof-wise) have flavors of a well made 12 year old and 110 proof bourbon, but without the kick.

Learn more about Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon

The finish leaves caramel, baked red apple, dried cherry, oak, and vanilla, then leaves a nice woody cola with cinnamon and clove. After “chewing” it leaves caramel, candied nuts, dried apple, and vanilla with lingering oak and effervescent oak spices such as clove and mace.

This is a decadent sweet treat. I personally don’t pair bourbon with desserts because the food’s sweetness always dominates the bourbon, but this alone feels like a delicious dessert.

I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too. Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.

Consider supporting The Whiskey Shelf and Warehouse H by buying the book via this affiliate link.

Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I Rating

Old Forester Series 117 Warehouse I is one of the best Old Forester Bourbons I’ve ever had and I think the best 117 Series bourbon that I’ve had so far. I’m completely caught off guard by how good it is, and I’m very happy about that. Outside of dusty bourbons, which are often ridiculously mature, layered, and rich even at under 100 proof, this is one of the highest rated sub-100 proof bourbons I’ve done in a long time…possibly ever.

And now that I know this is 11 years old (after smelling, tasting, and taking my notes), this all makes so much more sense to me. The maturity, development, range, and oak are all well represented for its age. The barrel selection is well done here too, as the oak is held in check enough so the rich sweetness and fruitiness can still stand out in the mix while the oak is still up, down, and all around the scents and flavors.

As a side note, I wish bourbons this old had more of the “dusty” character from before the early 2000’s, where a bourbon might be 12-15 years old and still be very fruity while the oak is softer and refined with more chocolate and tobacco. I’m lucky enough to know what that’s like, and I lament that modern bourbons are not like that anymore.

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My main real critique is the definition, which still feels a bit blobbish at times. I often have that critique for Old Forester bourbons…and a lot of bourbons for that matter.

I wish that Old Forester Series 117 Warehouse I was more widely distributed because I’d buy a lot of this for myself. $130 for a 750ml is certainly not affordable, but at the same time it’s not the craziest price for a bourbon of this caliber…if you’re fortunate enough to have the money.

Too bad these are one-off limited releases, so few people can actually stock up on something so good. It’s more or less one and done, and hopefully you’re lucky enough to at least try it / buy it once.

I commend Old Forester for an excellent release.

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Meet the Author: Alex

I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.

There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.

Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.

BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)