The bourbon world doesn't slow down after the fall release frenzy ends. While collectors spend autumn chasing allocated bottles like Pappy Van Winkle and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, January brings its own share of anticipated releases. Old Forester just kicked off the new year by bringing back one of its most sought-after limited editions—the 1924 expression from the Whiskey Row series.
This isn't just another bourbon hitting shelves. The 1924 has real history behind it, the kind that connects directly to one of the wildest periods in American whiskey making. During Prohibition, when most distilleries shut their doors for good, Old Forester was one of only six operations the government allowed to keep running. They got a special license to produce medicinal whiskey, which sounds like a loophole because it absolutely was. But that license kept them in business while nearly every other distillery in the country went dark.
The story gets more interesting in 1924 specifically. Old Forester acquired barrels from distilleries that had closed down, and these barrels contained whiskey made from different grain recipes than what Old Forester typically used. The company decided to bottle this whiskey anyway under the Old Forester name, creating something that stood apart from their usual products.
That historical decision is what this modern release recreates. The mashbill for 1924 runs 79 percent corn, 11 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley. Compare that to the standard Old Forester recipe of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, and the difference becomes clear. Less rye means a softer, sweeter profile. The whiskey ages for a full decade before getting bottled at 100 proof.
The 1924 is the fifth bourbon in Old Forester's Whiskey Row series, joining 1870 Original Batch, 1897 Bottled in Bond, 1920 Old Fine Whisky, and 1920 Prohibition Style. Each one marks a specific moment in the distillery's timeline, which stretches back to 1870 when George Garvin Brown founded it. That makes Old Forester the oldest continuously operating bourbon brand in America—a claim that carries weight in an industry obsessed with heritage.
The timing of this release lines up with something else the distillery has going on. A documentary about Old Forester's history just dropped as part of the Whiskeyland series. Two filmmaker brothers from Brooklyn, the Balas siblings, produce the series and post episodes on the Whiskeyland TV YouTube channel. Their latest episode digs into the Old Forester story, pulling from archives and historical records.
"We're honored to share the story of Old Forester, founded by George Garvin Brown in 1870, with a wider audience," said Caleb Trigo, assistant master distiller at Old Forester, in a statement about the documentary.
Filmmaker Ryan Balas explained what drew him to the project. "What excited us most about making this episode was the chance to dive deep into America's oldest whiskey brand, Old Forester, and bring the archives and tales to life, only to realize that, in the process, we were becoming part of that same tradition," he said.
The documentary adds context to what you're tasting when you pour a glass of 1924. Prohibition wasn't just a dry period in American history—it fundamentally changed the whiskey industry. Distilleries that survived had to get creative, and the ones that didn't survive left behind barrels that other companies could buy up. Old Forester's decision to bottle those acquired barrels shows the kind of resourcefulness that kept them alive through those years.
As for what the bourbon tastes like, the official tasting notes point to some rich, dessert-like qualities. The nose supposedly brings fudge, cocoa, marzipan, and cured tobacco. On the palate, expect chocolate-covered graham cracker with cinnamon and baking spice. At 100 proof, it has enough strength to carry those flavors without overwhelming them.
The 1924 is available now at the Old Forester distillery in Louisville and at liquor stores across the country. Online retailers like ReserveBar are also carrying it along with the rest of the Old Forester lineup. Being a limited edition, it won't stick around forever, though Old Forester does bring it back annually unlike some one-and-done special releases.
This release comes on the heels of Woodford Reserve bringing back their Double Double Oaked expression just days earlier. It seems distilleries are learning that the appetite for limited-edition bourbon doesn't end when the calendar flips to winter. Collectors and regular drinkers alike are always looking for something new to try, or in this case, something historical to revisit.
The Prohibition angle gives 1924 a story that resonates beyond just the liquid in the bottle. That era represents a time when the government tried to kill the whiskey industry and nearly succeeded. The fact that Old Forester made it through and is still making bourbon today using recipes inspired by that period connects past to present in a tangible way.
For anyone interested in bourbon history beyond just drinking it, the documentary offers a deeper look at how one distillery navigated more than 150 years of ups and downs. And if you want to taste a piece of that history, the 1924 provides that opportunity. Whether it lives up to the hype depends on your palate, but the backstory alone makes it worth seeking out.
The return of annual limited editions like this one creates a rhythm in the bourbon market. Certain releases become traditions that enthusiasts mark on their calendars. Old Forester 1924 has earned that status, combining a unique mashbill with a compelling historical narrative. At a time when new bourbon brands launch constantly and existing ones push out endless variations, having a release tied to actual events from a century ago stands out.
