Old Forester 1897

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is a premium, small-batch bourbon that serves as the second chapter in the brand’s highly acclaimed Whiskey Row Series. In the late 1800s, the American whiskey market was flooded with adulterated, unsafe spirits cut with harmful chemicals and artificial colorings. To combat this, the U.S. government passed the landmark Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This expression is a meticulous recreation of the rich, bold style of bourbon Old Forester produced immediately following the passage of that historic safety law.

To earn its “Bottled in Bond” designation, this whiskey must meet an uncompromising set of rules: it must be the product of one distillation season, by one distiller, at one distillery, aged for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof with no additives except water. Presenting a much deeper intensity and richer texture than younger, lower-proof entry-level bourbons, it highlights the heavy barrel character and classic confectionery sweets of the Old Forester profile.

Tasting Profile

• Appearance: Deep copper-amber with polished mahogany highlights.

• Aroma: Strongly aromatic and robust. Heavy notes of intense caramel, vanilla custard, and dark brown sugar are accented by sweet tobacco leaf, dried red fruits, and a classic hint of ripe banana.

• Palate: Rich, mouth-filling, and beautifully balanced. Deep flavors of sticky toffee and maple syrup meld with roasted coffee notes, figs, and toasted nuts, all rounded out by a bold mid-palate of cracked black pepper and clove.

• Finish: Exceptionally long, dry, and warm. The sweetness tapers off gracefully, leaving behind massive notes of charred oak tannins, seasoned leather, and a lingering kick of baking spice.

Old Forester 1897 is a sophisticated, historical bourbon that demands to be savored. Its heavy, robust structure allows it to excel when sipped entirely neat or with a splash of water, but it also has the perfect proof weight to anchor and elevate a premium cocktail like a classic Boulevardier or an Old Fashioned.