Old Forester has expanded its limited 117 Series with a new expression that shifts the focus from bourbon to rye. The High Angels’ Share Rye marks the first rye whiskey in the series to carry the high-evaporation designation, highlighting barrels that developed unusually concentrated flavor during maturation.
The 117 Series, first launched in 2021, takes its name from Old Forester’s historic address at 117 West Main Street in Louisville. Each release explores unique warehouse conditions, barrel selections, or finishing techniques, making the series a platform for experimental and limited-production expressions.
This latest release returns to the concept that defined the original High Angels’ Share Bourbon, but reinterprets it through a rye whiskey profile. The result is a whiskey shaped by evaporation, concentration, and the unpredictable nature of barrel maturation.
What High Angels’ Share Means
The term “angel’s share” refers to the portion of whiskey lost to evaporation during aging. In certain barrels, this evaporation rate is significantly higher, leaving behind a more concentrated liquid. Old Forester identifies these rare barrels and uses them to create the High Angels’ Share releases.
Old Forester matures whiskey in heat-cycled warehouses where temperature shifts accelerate interaction between wood and spirit. While this process is controlled, some barrels still lose more liquid than others. These high-loss barrels tend to develop deeper flavor concentration and higher proof levels.
The new High Angels’ Share Rye is bottled at 110 proof, preserving the intensity created during maturation while maintaining balance in structure and finish.
A Rye Built on Concentration
This release represents the first rye whiskey in the 117 Series to carry the High Angels’ Share designation. Selected from barrels that experienced elevated evaporation, the whiskey develops a more compact and layered flavor profile compared to standard maturation.
The resulting character leans heavily into classic rye spice, but with added depth. Notes of fruit and baking spice emerge alongside burnt orange peel, cinnamon, cocoa powder, vanilla, and black pepper. At 110 proof, the whiskey delivers warmth on both entry and finish, yet remains controlled rather than aggressive.
This balance between intensity and drinkability reflects the goal of the High Angels’ Share concept. Concentration increases structure, but the whiskey still maintains clarity and definition across the palate.
The 117 Series Context
The 117 Series functions as Old Forester’s experimental platform, showcasing distinctive barrel selections and warehouse-driven variations. Previous releases have included expressions like 1910 Extra Old, Scotch Cask Finish, Whiskey Row Fire, and warehouse-specific maturations.
The High Angels’ Share Rye effectively brings the series full circle. The original High Angels’ Share release in 2021 was a bourbon selected for its high evaporation rate. This new rye version revisits the concept while introducing a different grain-driven profile.
By shifting the same maturation idea into rye territory, Old Forester demonstrates how evaporation and concentration can influence different whiskey styles in distinct ways.
Release Details
Old Forester High Angels’ Share Rye is bottled at 110 proof (55% ABV) and released in 375 mL bottles. Batch No. 001 marks the inaugural release of this rye expression within the High Angels’ Share concept.
The whiskey is available at the Old Forester Distillery and select Kentucky retailers with a suggested retail price of approximately $65. As with previous 117 Series releases, limited availability is expected to drive collector interest.
VOGGIA Perspective
The High Angels’ Share Rye highlights how maturation variables can shape whiskey as much as grain or age. Rather than focusing solely on older barrels, Old Forester emphasizes evaporation as a defining factor. This approach creates a whiskey that feels more concentrated without relying on extended aging.
The move to introduce a rye within the High Angels’ Share concept also expands the identity of the 117 Series. It shifts the conversation from experimental bourbon releases to a broader exploration of how warehouse dynamics influence different whiskey styles.
In that sense, the High Angels’ Share Rye stands as both a continuation and an evolution. It keeps the original concept intact while demonstrating that even subtle differences in grain and maturation can reshape the final character in meaningful ways.
