Old Forester 100 Proof 750ML

Old Forester 100 Proof 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned 95 points with an Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation designation at the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and took Gold at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge — a track record that underscores its consistency at a competitive price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (NAS)  |  Distillery: Old Forester

Production & Heritage

Old Forester holds the distinction of being America's first bottled bourbon, founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown in Louisville, Kentucky. Now owned by Brown-Forman, the distillery continues to operate in Louisville. The 100 Proof expression uses a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, and the bourbon is aged in new charred oak barrels inside heat-cycled warehouses — a technique that accelerates barrel interaction and contributes to deeper flavor extraction compared to traditional rackhouse aging. The result is a higher-proof, full-bodied bourbon that sits above the brand's 86 Proof flagship while sharing the same grain recipe.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted caramel and cherry cola lead the nose, followed by sweet oak, cinnamon bark, and a whiff of leather. Deeper investigation reveals fruit cake, brown butter, sage, and blood orange.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately spicy, with rye asserting itself early against a backdrop of roasted nuts and butterscotch. At mid-palate, waves of dark fruit — plum, dried cherry — emerge alongside balsam and a subtle fruity character that keeps the proof from becoming one-dimensional. The 100-proof strength drives intensity without veering into harshness.

Finish: Long and warming, with peppered oak and tobacco leaf lingering well after the sip. Burnt sugar and residual baking spice fade slowly, leaving a dry, satisfying close.

How to Drink Old Forester 100

At 100 proof, this bourbon stands up well neat or with a single ice cube that gradually opens the caramel and fruit notes without drowning the rye spice. It also excels as a cocktail backbone thanks to the higher proof cutting through mixers and sweeteners.

• Old Fashioned: The butterscotch and baking spice amplify classic bitters-and-sugar interplay without getting lost.
• Whiskey Sour: The 50% ABV punches through citrus and egg white, keeping the bourbon's dark-fruit character front and center.
• Manhattan: Rye-forward spice and peppered oak hold their own against sweet vermouth, creating a well-balanced pour.

Best For

• Building a versatile home bar with a reliable, higher-proof bourbon
• Hosting a bourbon tasting flight comparing entry-proof vs. 100-proof expressions
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values quality at an accessible price tier
• Batch cocktail prep where proof retention through dilution is critical

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Forester 100 taste like? Old Forester 100 Proof delivers a full-bodied, spice-driven profile dominated by toasted caramel, dark fruit, roasted nuts, and butterscotch, with a long, warming finish of peppered oak and tobacco leaf.

How does Old Forester 100 compare to Wild Turkey 101? Both are high-proof, value-positioned Kentucky straight bourbons, but Old Forester 100 leans more toward caramel sweetness and dark fruit due to its 72% corn and 18% rye mashbill, while Wild Turkey 101 (51% ABV) tends toward bolder vanilla and woody spice from its lower corn, higher rye recipe and longer aging in deeply charred barrels.

Is Old Forester 100 good for cocktails? The 100-proof strength makes it one of the more effective mixing bourbons in its price range, retaining its caramel and spice character through ice dilution and sweeteners in drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan.

Where is Old Forester 100 made? Old Forester 100 Proof is distilled and bottled by the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, owned by Brown-Forman, the same company behind Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel's.

What foods pair well with Old Forester 100? Smoked brisket or pulled pork highlights the bourbon's oak and caramel notes. Dark chocolate or pecan pie mirrors its butterscotch and roasted-nut character. Aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the rye spice, while grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the cherry and dark-fruit qualities on the palate.

What sizes does Old Forester 100 come in? Old Forester 100 Proof is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and can also be found in 1L and 1.75L formats depending on market availability.

Is Old Forester 100 worth the price? Old Forester 100 Proof positions as an entry-level to mid-range bourbon that consistently punches above its price tier, as evidenced by multiple gold medals and scores as high as 95 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge — making it one of the stronger values in the 100-proof bourbon category.

Why Old Forester 100?

What separates this expression from the crowded field of budget-to-mid-range bourbons is the combination of a 95-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge rating, Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, and a production process that leverages heat-cycled warehouses for deeper barrel interaction. The 72/18/10 mashbill strikes a deliberate balance between corn sweetness and rye spice that rewards both neat sipping and cocktail use. For a no-age-statement bourbon at 100 proof, the complexity — dark fruit, tobacco, burnt sugar — is notable, and the consistency across competition results spanning 2015 to 2019 suggests a bottling that delivers reliably year over year. Among American whiskeys at this price tier, few carry the same weight of critical recognition.