Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is the second expression in the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series, launched in 2015 to commemorate the passage of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown, who in 1870 became the first to sell bourbon exclusively in sealed glass bottles, was an early supporter of the federal legislation that would establish quality and authenticity standards for American whiskey. With the passage of the Bottled in Bond Act, Old Forester transitioned its bourbon from 90 proof to 100 proof to comply with the new federal mandate. This release pays direct tribute to that historic moment, presenting a Bottled in Bond bourbon distilled in one season, by one distiller, at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. Crafted on the standard Old Forester mash bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, this is a rich, bold expression reminiscent of 19th century bourbon character. A defining release in the Whiskey Row Series for fans of historically rooted Bottled in Bond bourbons.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Old Forester |
| Distillery |
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Brown-Forman Corporation |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, Bottled in Bond |
| Series |
Whiskey Row Series, second release |
| Mash Bill |
72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley |
| Age |
No Age Statement, minimum 4 years per Bottled in Bond standard |
| Cask |
New Charred American Oak |
| ABV |
50% |
| Proof |
100 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
USA |
| Launched |
2015 |
| Historical Reference |
Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, Old Forester's transition from 90 to 100 proof |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber with copper highlights.
Nose: Cinnamon, toasted oak, baked apple, and warm vanilla layered with dark caramel and a touch of dried fruit.
Palate: Bold and full bodied with rich caramel, toasted oak, baking spice, and dark fruit. Layers of vanilla, leather, and pepper build through the mid palate.
Finish: Long and warming with lingering oak, dark chocolate, and a final flourish of cinnamon and clove.
FAQ
What is Bottled in Bond? Bottled in Bond is a designation under the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, championed by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. and supported by Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown. The act guarantees that the whiskey is the product of one distillation season, by one distiller, at one distillery, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.
How does 1897 fit in the Whiskey Row Series? The Whiskey Row Series honors pivotal moments in Old Forester's history. 1870 Original Batch celebrates the brand's founding, 1897 Bottled in Bond honors the federal Bottled in Bond Act, the double barreled 1910 Old Fine Whisky commemorates a happy accident, the higher proof 1920 Prohibition Style honors Permit KY-3, and 1924 marks the year Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distilleries.
Why did Old Forester transition from 90 proof to 100 proof? When the Bottled in Bond Act passed in 1897, federal law required Bottled in Bond whiskey to be bottled at exactly 100 proof. Old Forester transitioned its proof to comply with the new standard and has continued to honor that legacy through this Whiskey Row release.
Where can I buy Old Forester 1897 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
