Old Forester Classic 86 Proof Bourbon Whisky
Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the 86-proof (43% ABV) flagship of America's founding bourbon — a 750mL bourbon distilled in Louisville, Kentucky, by Brown-Forman. No age statement appears on the bottle, but it is a Kentucky straight bourbon, meaning every drop is aged at least two years in new charred oak.
Created in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles — a guarantee of quality at a time when whiskey was commonly adulterated. It is the only bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by its founding family before, during, and after Prohibition, making it one of the most historic names in American whiskey.
Official tasting notes: an aroma that is sharp and sweet, with a strong floral character swirling with hints of mint, rich tobacco leaf and vanilla. On the palate, a touch of oak and pine provides a strong underpinning — sharp at first, but softening quickly with hints of oak, sweet corn and rye grain character, spicy with soft vanilla and light orange notes. The finish is long, warm and slightly drying, with a nice level of sweetness.
Why buy Old Forester? This is the value sweet spot of the Old Forester line: a genuine piece of bourbon history at an everyday price, and an ideal foundation bottle for anyone building a bourbon shelf. It took Gold at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Silver at the 2018 American Whiskey Masters (Bourbon–Premium).
Serve neat or on the rocks to appreciate its floral-spicy balance, or pour it into a whiskey sour or Manhattan — its rye-leaning spice stands up beautifully in cocktails.
FAQs
Is Old Forester 100 proof? No — the standard flagship described here is 86 proof (43% ABV). Old Forester 100 Proof (Signature) is a separate product.
Where is Old Forester made? Louisville, Kentucky, by Brown-Forman — the founding Brown family still owns the brand.
Is Old Forester a good bourbon for beginners? Yes — its approachable 86 proof, historic pedigree, and balanced sweet-spicy profile make it an easy recommendation for new bourbon drinkers.
What cocktails work best with Old Forester? Whiskey sours, Manhattans, and mint juleps all showcase its rye spice.