Old Forester holds a special place in American whiskey history — it was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles, back in 1870. That's exactly what this expression is named after, and it's a detail worth knowing because it tells you something about the brand's DNA: consistency and quality control have been baked in from day one.
Old Forester 1870 is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 45% ABV with no age statement. What makes it interesting from a production standpoint is the blending approach — this isn't a single-barrel or single-recipe bourbon. Brown-Forman uses a mingling of barrels from different warehouse locations and different production days to build a flavour profile that's meant to represent what bourbon tasted like in that original era. It's a craft decision, not a marketing gimmick, and as someone who spent years building cocktail programs around consistency, I respect the thinking behind it.
At 45% ABV, you're sitting at 90 proof — right in that sweet spot where you get enough weight and structure to stand up in a mixed drink but enough balance to sip neat without your palate taking a beating. This is a bourbon that doesn't need to shout about barrel proof or limited editions. It just does its job well.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes I can't confirm, but I can tell you what the style suggests. Old Forester's house character leans towards caramel, baking spice, and a certain fruitiness that comes from their yeast strain — one of the oldest continuously used strains in bourbon production. At this proof and with the multi-barrel blending approach, expect a rounded, approachable pour with enough complexity to reward attention but nothing that's going to challenge you after a long day.
The Verdict
At £61.75, Old Forester 1870 sits in a competitive bracket. You're paying a slight premium over the standard Old Forester 86, and I think it's justified. The higher proof and the deliberate blending philosophy give this bottle more presence and more versatility. Is it going to blow the doors off a barrel-proof Elijah Craig or a Knob Creek Single Barrel? No — but it's not trying to. This is a daily-drinker bourbon with genuine pedigree, and it earns its 7.7 out of 10 by being reliably good rather than occasionally great.
If you're building a home bar and you want a bourbon that works across every situation — neat pour, rocks, cocktails — this is an excellent foundation bottle. It's the kind of whiskey I'd keep behind a professional bar without hesitation.
Best Served
This bourbon was practically built for an Old Fashioned. The 90 proof means it holds its own against sugar and bitters without getting lost, and the blended character gives you a smooth, well-rounded base. Two dashes of Angostura, a sugar cube or a barspoon of rich demerara syrup, a large ice cube, and an orange peel expressed over the top. Don't overcomplicate it — let the bourbon do the work. It's also a perfectly solid neat pour if you just want something honest in the glass after dinner.
