Old Forester Statesman is a permanent core expression in the Old Forester lineup, originally launched in August 2017 as an officially licensed collaboration with the film Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The release proved successful enough that Brown-Forman kept Statesman in the permanent portfolio rather than retiring it after the film's promotional cycle. Crafted on the standard Old Forester mash bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, Statesman is built from hand selected casks pulled exclusively from the warmest locations in Old Forester's heat cycled rickhouses, where seasonal temperature swings drive deeper oak interaction and concentrated flavor development. The result is a bourbon with bold spice and concentrated character punching above its 95 proof bottling. The brand notes that true character is only revealed after a little heat, a fitting nod to both the warehouse aging philosophy and the film's spirit. Bottled at 47.5% ABV with no age statement, this is one of the most approachable expressions in the Old Forester lineup, falling between the standard 86 proof Old Forester and the 100 proof 1897 Bottled in Bond.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Old Forester |
| Distillery |
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Brown-Forman Corporation |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky |
| Mash Bill |
72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley |
| Cask |
New Charred American Oak, hand selected from warmest warehouse locations |
| Age |
No Age Statement |
| ABV |
47.5% |
| Proof |
95 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
USA |
| Released |
August 2017 |
| Origin |
Originally launched as an official licensed tie in with Kingsman: The Golden Circle, now a permanent core expression |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber with copper highlights.
Nose: Devil's food cake, clove, oak spice, raw vanilla, baked apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon bread.
Palate: Buttery leather quickly dominated by a bold flash of pepper, cinnamon bark, and sharp citrus. Layers of cherry, caramel, banana, and waffle sweetness build through the mid palate.
Finish: Long with intense spice and eucalyptus that fade into orange cream, butterscotch, and caramel.
FAQ
Is Statesman still available? Yes. Although Statesman launched in 2017 as a film tie in, Brown-Forman kept it in the permanent Old Forester lineup rather than retiring it after the promotional cycle. It remains widely available at retail in most US markets.
What makes Statesman different from other Old Forester expressions? Statesman is built exclusively from casks pulled from the warmest locations in Old Forester's heat cycled rickhouses, which intensifies oak interaction and flavor concentration. It sits at 95 proof, between standard Old Forester at 86 proof and Old Forester Signature and 1897 Bottled in Bond at 100 proof.
Is the mash bill the same as the Whiskey Row Series? Yes. Statesman uses the standard Old Forester mash bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley shared across the entire core range, including the 1910 Old Fine Whisky and 1920 Prohibition Style. Differences across the range come from proof, barrel selection, and finishing rather than the recipe.
Where can I buy Old Forester Statesman online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
