The new Old Forester 1924 retails around $115 and according to Old Forester’s website, “The Whiskey Row Series’ 1924 10-Year-Old is a limited annual release celebrating another milestone in Old Forester’s storied history. During Prohibition, more than 200 distilleries were forced to close. Old Forester, however, continued operations because the federal government issued us one of six medicinal licenses, P-3. In 1924, Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers, with different mash bills, and bottled that liquid as Old Forester. This release commemorates that moment in time.”
Now while the 1924 is an Early Times mash bill at 10-years-old, 100 proof, 750ml that retails around $115, I figured we’d have some fun and compare it to Early Times’s older “black top” & current “blue top” 4-year-old, bottled-in-bonds at 100 proof that come in 1 liters at a retail price of $25. What’s the difference between the black top and blue top Early Times? The black tops had “Kentucky Only” distribution and were around from their re-launch in 2017 to mid-to-late 2020 - as Brown Foreman sold the Early Times brand to Sazerac in June of 2020. Sazerac put it into a new taller bottle and changed the plastic black tops to a blue metal screw-top. Of course, even though Sazerac bought the existing stocks of ET, a new company means new blenders - so there was a noticeable shift between the two.
As of May 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,700. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards! Fortunately, we’re still aging up more barrels of it, and as soon as they’re ready, I’ll work the next blend. But until then, don’t forget, that our other Bourbons have also won multiple awards and are on Total Wine shelves (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! So, also keep an eye out for our Flagship Port & Cognac, standard “Herald” that’s an Armagnac finish, the Special Edition White Port & Cognac finish, and our Special Edition "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - 2023 New Orleans Spirit Competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard with my team to continue bringing you whiskeys that we’re very proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
27 авг 2024
