There’s a certain poetry in fire and oak, in the sweet sting of smoke and the gentle warmth of old wood. Today, Old Forester conjures that magic once again with the highly anticipated return of 1910 Extra Extra Old—an experimental bourbon from its celebrated 117 Series that feels as much like a legend retold as it does a new chapter written.
Born of a moment that nearly ended in ash, the original Old Forester 1910 commemorates the October 22, 1910 distillery fire at 117 Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky. That day, a batch of mature whisky, spared from catastrophe, was re-barreled in new charred oak to preserve its spirit—both literally and figuratively. Over a century later, that fiery incident continues to shape Old Forester’s most intriguing expressions.
First released in 2021, the 1910 Extra Extra Old (or “XXO” to its devoted fans) takes the experiment further: after its initial aging, the bourbon spends an extra 24 months in a heavily charred secondary barrel. This double-barreling process coaxes out an intensity of flavor rarely seen in contemporary bourbon, embodying a kind of aged defiance—like a jazz musician riffing past midnight or an old oak tree standing stubborn in a field of young shoots.
Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo calls it “an act of taking something great and making it even better.” Indeed, the extra maturation teases out robust layers and textures that border on the decadent.
On the nose, it offers sticky toffee pudding notes mingled with toasted hazelnut—aromas that hang in the air like a slow Southern summer evening. The palate is a comforting swirl of sweet almond and toasted oak, harmonized with baking spice and a velvety mouthfeel that invites slow contemplation. The finish lingers with milk chocolate, sweet oak, and a teasing flicker of warm cinnamon spice—an echo of the original fire that birthed this whiskey lineage.
Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV) and priced at $64.99, Old Forester 1910 Extra Extra Old will be available in limited quantities at the Old Forester Distillery starting July 16. Select Kentucky retailers will also carry it, and enthusiasts in D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Dakota can order online at shop.oldforester.com.
In an era of fast trends and fleeting releases, 1910 Extra Extra Old feels like a patient love letter to bourbon tradition—a testament to the slow burn, to resilience, and to the good things that can only come from time and fire.
In December, Old Forester added the 11-year-old Warehouse I to its 117 Series..
