It’s been more than five years since Old Forester added to its popular Whiskey Row Series — expressions that highlight important moments in the brand’s 153-year history — but it’s well worth the wait for this latest one: 1924, a 10-year-old, 100-proof bourbon that features a new mash bill.

If you’re a history buff, you might be scratching your head at this point. Wasn’t 1924 smack dab in the middle of Prohibition? What could possibly be happening at Old Forester and Brown-Forman during this year for them to highlight 1924?

Well, the answer to that is also why there’s a unique mash bill and why it’s age stated.

As Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris explained yesterday to a small media group, Prohibition is exactly why this bottle is truly one-of-a-kind. Obviously during those sad 10 years in history when alcohol was forbidden, it forced all distilleries around the country to shut their doors.

Well, all but a handful that were allowed to continue distilling for “medicinal” purposes.

Old Forester/Brown-Forman was one of those lucky few that kept things running. And they also acquired aging bourbon barrels from other nearby distilleries to store in one location. In 1924, that location was completed near where the Brown-Forman HQ is located today in west Louisville.

So basically, they had lots of bourbon to release (to pharmacies) that had varying mash bills, ages, etc. Some they blended with their own and released it under the Old Forester label, and others they maintained brand trademark rules and released it under various now-defunct distillery names.

All of the distilleries that were permitted to distill for medicinal purposes had to acquire other barrels, so this was just the standard operation of the day, per governmental regulations.

How does it taste?

But enough with history, let’s get to the bourbon! While the traditional Old Forester mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, the new 1924 mash bill adds more corn and takes out some rye at 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley. This makes for a sweeter taste and much less spice than the usual.

It’s definitely not your typical Old Forester, and the extra age of 10 years in the barrel adds even more flavor to an excellent pour. There are a lot of baking notes in this one: think brown sugar, vanilla, oak and graham cracker. There’s also a nice milk chocolate note that makes for a nice finish. And the more I sipped, I even got a subtle coffee flavor in the mix.

I’m not sure I like it better than 1910 — the Whiskey Row Series expression that is double oaked — but that’s just my own preference for the sweeter side of bourbon. I love that they added the 10-year age statement to this one, and I think this bottle will be coveted and clamored after by many. It’s a great example of the many nuances and wonderful flavors that come from a well-aged Kentucky bourbon.

Old Forester 1924 will be available in all 50 states for a suggested retail price of $115.