Old Forester 150th Anniversary Batch Proof 02/03

126.4 proof. The second of three batch proof releases commemorating Old Forester's 150th anniversary — America's first commercially bottled bourbon marks a century and a half.

Old Forester was founded by George Garvin Brown in 1870 — making it America's first commercially bottled bourbon. Brown's original insight was simple and revolutionary: seal bourbon in a glass bottle with a signature rather than selling it from open barrels, guaranteeing what the customer received was exactly what the distillery produced. That decision established the standard for the modern American spirits industry.

To mark 150 years of that legacy, Old Forester released three limited batch proof expressions — each a unique selection of 12-year-old barrels bottled at cask strength with no proofing. Batch 02/03 was bottled at 126.4 proof, placing it between the three batches in intensity. As with all Old Forester batch proof releases, the specific barrel selection and proof make this an unrepeatable expression of the distillery at this milestone moment.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with warm golden tones.
• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and warm baking spice — the bold proof amplifies the complexity of the 12-year aging.
• Palate: Full-bodied and layered — dark caramel, dried fruit, rye spice, and a powerful oak integration from 12 years at cask strength delivery.
• Finish: Long and warming — spice and oak fading into a clean, satisfying close.

The Three Anniversary Batches

• Batch 01/03: First batch proof expression of the anniversary series
• Batch 02/03: 126.4 proof — mid-series expression
• Batch 03/03: 126.8 proof — final anniversary batch

Specs

• Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Proof: 126.4 (63.2% ABV)
• Release: 150th Anniversary Limited Edition, Batch 02/03
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Old Forester collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is Old Forester called America's first bottled bourbon? George Garvin Brown began selling bourbon sealed in glass bottles with his signature in 1870 — guaranteeing the contents against adulteration, which was rampant in open-barrel sales of the era. Old Forester is recognized as the first bourbon to be consistently sold in this form, establishing the standard the industry now takes for granted.
• How do the three anniversary batches differ? Each batch was a different barrel selection bottled at its natural cask strength. Batch 02/03 at 126.4 proof and Batch 03/03 at 126.8 proof are the two in-stock versions; the small proof differences reflect the specific barrels selected for each batch. The barrel compositions are different, making each an unrepeatable expression.
• Is this the same as the Birthday Bourbon series? No — Birthday Bourbon is released annually on September 2nd from 12-year-old barrels selected by the master distiller. The 150th Anniversary Batch Proof is a specific commemorative release marking the 150-year milestone. Both are limited; the Anniversary is a one-time series.
• Is the 150th Anniversary Batch 02/03 still available? In limited quantities. These were produced in limited supply as a one-time commemorative series and are not restocked once sold.