How Long Has Old Forester Been Around?
Old Forester is a bourbon brand that has been around for over 150 years and has a rich history dating back to pre-prohibition times. Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester was originally named “Old Forrester” after Dr. William Forrester, a prominent Louisville physician who was a friend of Brown’s. The spelling was later changed to “Old Forester” to ensure trademark protection.
At the time of its founding, Old Forester was one of the few bourbons to be sold exclusively in sealed bottles, ensuring a consistent and high-quality product for consumers. This was a revolutionary idea in the bourbon industry, as most bourbon was sold in barrels and bottled by individual retailers. Old Forester claims to be the first bottled bourbon.
Old Forester quickly became a popular brand across America, known for its consistent quality and affordability. In fact, during the 1890s, Old Forester was the best-selling bourbon in the world.
During prohibition, Old Forester was one of only ten brands of bourbon allowed to be sold for medicinal purposes. Brown believed that bourbon had medicinal properties and continued to produce Old Forester in limited quantities during this time, ensuring that the brand would survive the prohibition era.
What Has Old Forester Been Up To Recently?
Brown’s vision for Old Forester was to create a bourbon that was not only consistent in quality but also affordable for everyday people. He believed that everyone should be able to enjoy a good bourbon, and Old Forester quickly became a popular brand across America. One of Old Forester’s most popular expressions is its 86 proof bourbon. This bourbon is made from a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, and is aged for a minimum of four years in new, charred oak barrels.
Current Old Forester Bottle Lineup
Old Forester only uses one bourbon mashbill and one rye recipe but has many different variations and labels that they bottle. Different proofs, finishing barrels, time in the barrel, location in the warehouse can all effect the final product and thus they have different bottling available. The list below are the current releases from Old Forester. Some of these releases are everyday shelfers and others are unicorns that you have to get lucky at the distillery or know somebody to obtain.
Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon
Old Forester Statesmen
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Old Forester 1897 Bottled In Bond
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Old Forester King Ranch
Old Forester Rye
Old Forester Mint Julep
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Old Forester 117 Series
Old Forester President’s Choice
Old Forester Single Barrel 100 Proof
Old Forester Barrel Strength Bourbon Single Barrel
Old Forester Barrel Strength Rye Single Barrel
Old Forester Heat-Cycled Warehouses
Over the years, Old Forester has continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing new expressions and experimenting with different barrel finishes. Old Forester utilizes heat-cycled warehouses which can “speed” up the aging process. Inside of a traditional bourbon warehouse the temperatures fluctuate with the four seasons in Kentucky. The temperature fluctuations move the distillate inside the barrels into and out of the wood, pulling out sugars, flavors and color. Rather than waiting for the seasons and temperatures to change, Old Forester decided to heat-cycle their warehouses to mimic the seasons changing and speed up the bourbon aging process. It is a fun debate to have what quality of bourbon this produces compared to other distilleries that use traditional warehouses. Despite these changes, Old Forester has remained committed to its core values of consistency and affordability.
Old Forester 86 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
I poured neat in a glencairn and let set for around 10 minutes. If you would like to support the site and buy a pair on glencairns, follow the hyperlink!
Color – Medium straw hue
Nose – A bit grainy, some alcohol but not much, light pepper.
Taste – Light rye tingle, hints of corn and grain leading me to think this is around 4 years old.
Finish – Finish is nice for 86 proof, goes deep into the chest, it is a little young a hot.
Rating – 5.4/10
Final Thoughts
When it comes to bourbon, Old Forester 86 proof bourbon is a classic that deserves a place in any bourbon lover’s collection. This bourbon is known for its high quality, versatility, and value, making it an excellent choice for any occasion.
One of the best things about Old Forester 86 proof bourbon is its versatility. It’s a great bourbon to sip on its own, with its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile. It’s also an excellent choice for cocktails, as its flavor pairs well with a variety of mixers. From classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan to modern twists like a Bourbon Sour or Bourbon Mule, Old Forester 86 proof bourbon is a versatile choice for any cocktail recipe.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect
Debonair Gentlemen 
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