Old Forester today announced a new limited expression lineup – The 117 Series – hitting shelves at Old Forester Distilling Co. on March 24 with its inaugural release, High Angels’ Share. The series, directed by Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan, will showcase the many facets of the Old Forester flavors and its label will bear her name, making this the first bottle in the brand’s more than 150 year history to feature a woman’s signature. 

At 110 proof, The 117 Series releases will be sold for a suggested retail price of $49.99 at Old Forester Distilling Co. and in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers.

According to a press release, The 117 Series: High Angels’ Share showcases a selection of barrels which lost exceptional volume to evaporation in the aging process, resulting in a bourbon that is rich and multidimensional, layered with dark flavor notes, dried fruits and unexpected herbaceous  qualities.

Subsequent releases in The 117 Series may explore selections from specific warehouses, barrel manipulations, deconstructed blends and more. 

“Creating The 117 Series has been a labor of love and seeing my signature on the label is one of the highlights of my career. My mind is exploding with the endless possibilities of this smaller scale of experimentation and innovation,” said Jackie Zykan. “This series presents an opportunity to pull the curtain back and share the isolates of the blending process to help deepen the understanding of how variants in maturation affect flavor profile. We’re playing in uncharted territory here and those who love Old Forester like we do will have the chance to explore with us.”

The name pays homage to the location of Old Forester’s homeplace along the famed Whiskey Row on Main Street in Louisville. Old Forester also called this location home from 1882 – 1919, returning in 2018 with a fully-functioning distillery and tour experience giving guests an immersion into the brand’s rich history and contemporary innovations.