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.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Jura 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Jura
Jura 10 is an island malt that sidesteps the peat-bomb stereotype entirely. Its restraint is its strength — a whisky shaped by geography rather than process, tasting of the rain and wind that batter its remote island home. Ideal as a gateway to island Scotch.
Noah's Mill Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Noah's Mill
Noah's Mill is barrel-proof bourbon without apology. Its intensity rewards patience — a splash of water opens the caramel and softens the leather into something rich and contemplative. A serious sipper for those who want their bourbon to push back.
Crossbill Highland Dry Gin
Crossbill
Crossbill is a gin that refuses to compromise on juniper. Using only Scottish juniper berries and rosehip, it delivers one of the most juniper-forward profiles available — a gin built for G&T purists and Martini devotees who want the pine to sing. It tastes like the Scottish Highlands in a glass.
Rhum Clément Select Barrel Rhum Agricole
Clément
Clément Select Barrel is an excellent entry point into aged agricole rhum. The barrel aging tames the raw grassy intensity without erasing it, creating a spirit that bridges the gap between agricole purists and aged rum lovers. At its price, it's one of the best values in the category.
Noah's Mill Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Noah's Mill
Noah's Mill is barrel-proof bourbon without apology. Its intensity rewards patience — a splash of water opens the caramel and softens the leather into something rich and contemplative. A serious sipper for those who want their bourbon to push back.
Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon Whiskey
Benchmark
This is not a bourbon that demands your attention — it earns it by being unpretentious. Buffalo Trace's value-tier offering uses the same distillery pedigree at a fraction of the price, making it an ideal daily pour or cocktail backbone.
New Riff Balboa Rye Bourbon
New Riff
A bourbon that earns its complexity through friction rather than finesse — the rare high-rye bourbon that tastes engineered for tension, then rewards patience with genuine grace.
Yellowstone Hand Picked Collection Single Barrel Bourbon 2023 Release
Yellowstone
This hand-picked single barrel delivers the kind of concentrated, oak-driven bourbon that rewards patience. It's not subtle, but it's disciplined — the heavy char never overwhelms the underlying grain character. A strong pour for anyone who wants their bourbon to carry some weight.