The bourbon that never left. Shop Old Forester online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — the first bourbon sold in sealed bottles, the Whiskey Row series that replays its history, and the annual Birthday Bourbon, all available to order online.
Related collections: Bourbon Whiskey | Woodford Reserve | Jack Daniel's | American Whiskey
First Bottled Bourbon, Still on Whiskey Row
In 1870, George Garvin Brown did something radical: he sold his bourbon only in sealed glass bottles, signed and guaranteed, at a time when whiskey came from the barrel and adulteration was rampant. Old Forester has been produced ever since — remarkably, it was made straight through Prohibition under a medicinal license, one of the few whiskeys America never had to stop drinking. Today's lineup is a history lesson you can taste: the Whiskey Row Series includes 1897 Bottled in Bond, 1910 Old Fine Whisky (double-barreled, all toasted oak and chocolate) and 1920 Prohibition Style, a bold 115-proof recreation of the Prohibition-era pour. Over it all presides Birthday Bourbon, released each September 2nd in honor of Brown's birthday — one day of barrels, gone in a blink.
Few brands give you this much real history at everyday prices. The 1910 in particular has a cult following all its own.
Order Old Forester online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — a century and a half of bourbon, ready to pour.
Old Forester FAQs
Is Old Forester really the first bottled bourbon?
Old Forester is credited as the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles, beginning in 1870 — a quality guarantee against the doctored, barrel-sold whiskey common at the time.
Old Forester 1910 or 1920 — which one do I want?
The 1910 is double-barreled and dessert-like: dark chocolate, caramelized sugar, lower heat. The 1920 is a single-barreling at 115 proof — bigger, spicier, drier. Dessert versus brawn.
What is Birthday Bourbon?
A once-a-year vintage release drawn from one day's production and released each September 2nd for founder George Garvin Brown's birthday. It is allocated and sells through quickly.