Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Old Forester · Old Forester Distillery (Brown-Forman)
Old Forester 1870 is a study in balance, designed to replicate the original batch process George Garvin Brown used over a century ago. It showcases how small-batch mingling across multiple barrels creates harmony, and it does so without relying on cask strength fireworks. A bourbon that respects its wood without being dominated by it.
Nose
Caramel and toasted oak arrive first, followed by a gentle wave of red apple and vanilla. There is a faint floral note — almost carnation — lingering beneath richer butterscotch tones.
Palate
The entry is smooth and buttery, with flavors of dark cherry and brown spice building at midpalate. Charred oak provides structure without overwhelming sweetness, and a flash of rye spice adds dimension.
Finish
Medium length, with lingering caramel and a gentle tannic dryness from the oak. Clean and warming.
- Mash Bill
- 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
- Barrel Type
- New charred American white oak
- Bottled in Bond
- No
- Single Barrel
- No
- Wheated
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
Brown Sugar Old Fashioned — 2 oz Old Forester 1870 · 1 barspoon demerara syrup · 3 dashes Angostura bitters · Build over a single large ice cube, stir gently, express an orange peel over the glass.
Food Pairing
The caramelized fat of smoked pork belly mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch and charred oak notes, while a tangy apple slaw bridges the whiskey's red apple brightness.
Produced at the Brown-Forman distillery in Louisville, Old Forester 1870 honors the original batch process created by founder George Garvin Brown, who in 1870 became the first to seal bourbon exclusively in glass bottles to guarantee quality.
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