Old Forester

Old Forester has been produced continuously since 1870 — the first bourbon ever sold exclusively in sealed glass bottles, a quality guarantee that founder George Garvin Brown introduced when adulterated whiskey was rampant. The Whiskey Row Series celebrates historical milestones: 1870 Original Batch, 1897 Bottled in Bond, 1910 Old Fine Whisky (double-barreled, smooth and sweet), and 1920 Prohibition Style (115 proof, bold and rich). Also produces the annual limited Birthday Bourbon and the 117 Series single barrel program.

Browse all bourbon and rare and allocated bottles at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Old Forester being the first bourbon sold in sealed bottles?

In the 1870s, American whiskey was routinely adulterated by distributors and retailers who would dilute, blend, or substitute inferior spirit before sale. The consumer had no way to know if what they bought was what the distillery produced. George Garvin Brown’s innovation of selling only in sealed glass bottles with his signature across the cork was the first attempt to create a quality guarantee from producer to consumer — a direct precursor to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which codified similar transparency requirements into federal law. The practice of sealed-bottle selling became a model the entire industry eventually followed.

What is the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon and why is it allocated?

Birthday Bourbon is released annually each September to commemorate George Garvin Brown’s birthday. Each vintage is a unique expression — the barrel selection, age, and proof differ from year to year based on what the master distiller determines is the best available stock for that release. It is not a consistent annual expression with predictable flavor; each year’s Birthday Bourbon is genuinely different from the last. The combination of annual limited production, year-to-year uniqueness, and collector demand makes it one of the most aggressively allocated bourbon releases each September.