Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is the second chapter of the Old Forester Whiskey Row Series, which invites bourbon lovers to taste their way through the brand's history. It is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
The expression commemorates the year the Bottled-in-Bond Act was passed, a landmark consumer-protection law created to combat the adulteration of whiskey. Its standards require one distiller, one distillery, one distilling season, at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse and bottling at exactly 100 proof. Old Forester, America's first bottled bourbon since 1870, was well placed to benefit from the law. The whisky is made at Old Forester's Louisville distillery from its classic mash bill of about 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley.
The result is robust and intense, with a big, bold finish. Aromas of caramel lead to rich vanilla, roasted coffee, brown sugar, dried fruit and mature oak; the palate is full-bodied, with vanilla, caramel, roasted nuts, cinnamon and dark fruit, and the finish is long, warm and slightly dry.
A piece of bourbon history, it makes a classic gift.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Caramel, vanilla, roasted coffee, brown sugar and dried fruit.
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Palate: Vanilla, caramel, roasted nuts, cinnamon and dark fruit.
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Finish: Long, warm and slightly dry, with oak.
Specifications
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Producer: Old Forester (Brown-Forman)
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Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bottled in Bond
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Mash Bill: About 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
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Age: Minimum 4 years
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Proof / ABV: 100 proof (50% ABV)
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Region: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Enjoy it neat, with a splash of water or in an Old Fashioned. It pairs with steak, pecan pie or coffee desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1897 refer to?
The year the Bottled-in-Bond Act was passed.
What are the bonded rules?
One distiller, one distillery, one season, four years in a bonded warehouse, bottled at 100 proof.
What series is it part of?
The Old Forester Whiskey Row Series.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
