In 1870, Old Forester became America’s First Bottled Bourbon when founder George Garvin Brown revolutionized the industry by being the first to put Bourbon in a glass bottle. Five generations and nearly 150 years later, Old Forester delivers a geniune Bourbon experience with 86 and 100 Proof at the core of the family.
In 1870, George Garvin Brown created Old Forester on Louisville’s famous Whiskey Row at 322 W. Main St. Old Forester was America’s First Bottled Bourbon – the first bourbon to be sold in sealed glass bottles instead of barrels, to ensure consistent quality. It took until the U.S. Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 for U.S. government regulations to catch up, when sealed bottles became a requirement. One of America’s founding bourbons, Old Forester continued to thrive until 1920, when Prohibition began. Many distilleries were closed, but fortunately, Brown-Forman applied for and received a license from the U.S. government to continue producing Old Forester for medicinal purposes. When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Old Forester became the only remaining bourbon continuously sold by the same company before, during and after Prohibition. Today, the Old Forester brand and its many expressions are prized by bartenders and consumers alike for their authentic bourbon taste.