Today marks the 7th anniversary of the fire on Whiskey Row that nearly destroyed the historic block. Old Forester Distilling Co. has just announced the release of the fourth installment of The 117 Series – Whiskey Row Fire in honor of the occasion.
On July 7, 2015, a four-alarm fire ravaged the buildings on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. Teams of Louisville first responders were able to contain and extinguish the fire, preserving the site for the Old Forester Distillery at 117/119 West Main. The block is now home to restaurants, bars, a hotel and other businesses – and has become a tourist destination.
“I remember that day and that fire vividly,” Louisville Fire Chief Greg Frederick said. “We are extremely proud of our brave firefighters who risked their lives and saved the block.”
In 2020, members of the Louisville Fire Department, many of whom fought the blaze, selected eight single barrels from a lot filled the same day they extinguished the fire. All eight barrels sold out in two days and proceeds were donated to the Louisville Firefighter Disaster Fund. The remainder of the barrels filled that day slumbered an additional two years in the warehouse and are now batched together to create Whiskey Row Fire.
At nearly 7 years old – these barrels are fully mature and wise in character.
Today, Chief Frederick and Louisville Fire Department members were special guests of Old Forester and toured the distillery. In addition, Old Forester is making a charity donation to the Louisville Fire Department to help firefighters who are in distress.
The 117 Series is a limited-expression lineup that debuted in Spring 2021. It offers a deep dive, or deconstruction, on how either the individual Old Forester Whiskey Row Series expressions are crafted or highlights other historical moments of Old Forester’s history on W. Main Street.
Old Forester The 117 Series – Whiskey Row Fire is bottled at 100 proof and will be available now in limited quantities at the retail shop at Old Forester Distilling Co. for $59.99.
