Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Bourbon Whisky

Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Bourbon Whisky is a 750mL Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV) in Louisville, Kentucky — the everyday expression of the bourbon George Garvin Brown created in 1870 as America's first bottled bourbon. It is made from the house mash of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• ABV: 43% (86 proof)
• Size: 750mL
• Age: No age statement
• Mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley (the house mash used across the range)
• Awards: Gold, San Francisco Spirits Competition 2019; Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2019; Silver, American Whiskey Masters 2018
• Origin: Louisville, Kentucky

America's First Bottled Bourbon, at Drinking Proof

When George Garvin Brown put his bourbon into sealed, signed bottles in 1870, he was inventing the idea that a bottle of whiskey could be trusted — and Old Forester is still the only bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by its founding family before, during and after Prohibition. The Classic 86 Proof is where that story starts in the glass: the same house mash as the rest of the range, bottled at a welcoming 86 proof. Step up to the Old Forester Signature 100 Proof for the full-proof version, or see the whole family on the Old Forester vendor page.

Tasting Notes

Per the producer's current notes: an aroma of citrus and tropical fruit with delicate florals, pound-cake sweetness, subtle clove and lightly toasted oak; a palate led by citrus zest and ripe pear over fresh mint and clove; and a finish of spearmint carrying through with clove spice and warm toasted oak.

How to Enjoy

An easy neat pour and a natural foundation for the classics — a whiskey sour, a Manhattan or a mint julep all start here. More everyday Kentucky pours are in our bourbon whiskey collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Old Forester 86 Proof and 100 Proof?
Same house mash, same distillery — the Signature 100 Proof is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) for a richer, more robust profile, while the Classic 86 Proof (43% ABV) is the lighter, everyday-drinking expression.

How old is Old Forester Classic 86 Proof?
The bottle carries no age statement, and the brand publishes no specific age for it. Kentucky straight bourbon as a category must spend at least two years in new charred oak — that is the legal floor for the category, not a stated age for this bottle.

Why is Old Forester called America's first bottled bourbon?
Because in 1870 George Garvin Brown became the first to sell bourbon exclusively in sealed bottles, each bearing his signature as a guarantee — at a time when most bourbon was sold by the barrel.

Start the Old Forester story where it pours easiest — order the Classic 86 Proof online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.