Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 750ML

Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 750ML is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Awarded Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, this expression revives the original batching method founder George Garvin Brown used when he established the brand in 1870, combining barrels from three separate warehouses to achieve a layered, complex flavor profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 proof)  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Small Batch  |  Distillery: Old Forester (Brown-Forman)

Production & Heritage

Old Forester holds the distinction of being America's first bottled bourbon, introduced by George Garvin Brown in 1870. The 1870 Original Batch expression pays homage to Brown's founding-era practice of batching barrels sourced from three different distilleries to ensure flavor consistency — a revolutionary approach at the time. Today, Old Forester replicates that philosophy by selecting barrels from three distinct warehouses at the Brown-Forman distillery in Louisville, each barrel originating from a different day of production, with a different entry proof and a different age profile. The bourbon is built on a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, aged in new charred American oak casks and minimally filtered to preserve depth and texture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus — orange peel, grapefruit, and a hint of blood orange — layered over sweet honeysuckle and clove. Beneath the fruit sits a warm foundation of caramel and dried dark fruit.

Taste: On the palate, baking spices arrive first: clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg roll into a citrus-fruit medley at mid-palate. The bourbon then shifts toward shortbread sweetness, cocoa, and a biscuity quality reminiscent of maple frosting on a fresh donut. The 90-proof strength keeps the delivery light and soft without sacrificing complexity.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish lingers on maple, toasted oak, corn sweetness, and dried dark fruit. A gentle spice thread ties the experience together as it fades.

How to Drink 1870 Original Batch

At 90 proof, this bourbon drinks well neat or with a single cube of ice, which opens up the citrus aromatics without diluting the baking-spice core. A few drops of water will coax out more of the honeysuckle sweetness. For cocktails, 1870 Original Batch excels in an Old Fashioned, where the caramel and citrus notes complement the sugar and bitters beautifully. It also brings structure to a Bourbon Sour, as the bright orange-and-grapefruit character pairs naturally with fresh lemon juice. A Boulevardier is another strong match — the cocoa and baking-spice backbone stands up to Campari and sweet vermouth without being overpowered.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring Old Forester's Whiskey Row series from the ground up
• Hosting a comparative tasting alongside other Louisville distillery expressions
• Gifting someone who appreciates historically inspired American whiskey
• Mixing classic bourbon cocktails that benefit from a spice-forward, citrus-bright base

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1870 Original Batch taste like? It delivers a citrus-forward profile — orange, grapefruit, and blood orange — woven through baking spices like clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with a sweet, biscuity undertone of caramel, cocoa, and maple.

How does 1870 Original Batch compare to Woodford Reserve? Both share an identical mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, and both are bottled at 90 proof, making them natural comparisons. Old Forester 1870 leans brighter and more citrus-driven, while Woodford Reserve tends toward richer dried fruit and vanilla from its pot-still component and triple-distillation process.

Is 1870 Original Batch good for sipping neat? Yes — the 45% ABV strikes a balance between proof-driven intensity and approachability, making it a comfortable neat pour with enough complexity to hold attention.

Where is 1870 Original Batch made? It is produced at the Old Forester distillery on Whisky Row in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, owned and operated by Brown-Forman, one of the largest American-owned spirits companies.

What foods pair well with 1870 Original Batch? Pecan pie complements the caramel and baking-spice notes. Smoked pork shoulder works well against the bourbon's citrus brightness. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa undertones. Sharp cheddar offers a savory contrast to the sweetness. Cornbread with honey butter echoes the corn-forward base of the mashbill.

What sizes does 1870 Original Batch come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is 1870 Original Batch worth the price? It positions as a mid-range bourbon that punches above its tier, earning Gold at the International Spirits Challenge and scoring 87/100 from Whiskey for the Ages — strong credentials for a non-age-stated expression at this price level.

Why 1870 Original Batch?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded Kentucky shelf is its historically rooted batching process: barrels drawn from three warehouses, each with a different production date, entry proof, and age profile, creating a flavor layering effect that single-source batches rarely achieve. The Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge validates that the technique translates into the glass. As the entry point in Old Forester's Whiskey Row series — which progresses through 1897, 1910, and 1920 — it establishes a citrus-and-spice baseline that makes the entire lineup more rewarding to explore. For drinkers who want a bourbon with genuine provenance and a production story that isn't marketing fiction, 1870 Original Batch delivers exactly that.