Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond 750ML

Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is a 100 proof (50% ABV), 750ml Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey honoring the landmark Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. It earned 93 points and a Highly Recommended designation at the 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, along with a Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Part of Old Forester's Whiskey Row series, this expression recreates the character of 19th-century bourbon through historically inspired production techniques.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Minimum 4 Years, Bottled in Bond  |  Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Company

Production & Heritage

Old Forester traces its roots to 1870, when George Garvin Brown became the first distiller to sell bourbon exclusively in sealed glass bottles — a quality guarantee that predated the Bottled-in-Bond Act by nearly three decades. The brand remains under Brown-Forman ownership to this day. The 1897 expression uses a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, aged for a minimum of four years in new charred oak barrels within a single federally bonded warehouse. True to the requirements of the Bond Act, every bottle is the product of one distillation season, one distiller, and one distillery, resulting in a bourbon with full provenance and transparency.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense caramel leads immediately, followed by rich vanilla and roasted coffee. Deeper inhalation reveals spiced dark fruit — dried plum and fig — underscored by mature oak and a subtle smokiness.

Taste: The entry is mouth-filling and aggressively sweet, with salted caramel and honey coating the palate. At mid-palate, warm allspice and dark fruit spice emerge, layered over deep vanilla and toasted oak. The 100 proof weight pushes all of these flavors forward with considerable intensity.

Finish: Big and bold, with lingering oak tannins and a persistent sweetness that slowly fades through caramel and baking spice. A touch of smoke and dry grain emerges at the tail end, adding welcome contrast.

How to Drink 1897 Bottled in Bond

At 100 proof, this bourbon stands up well neat but also opens nicely with a few drops of water or a single large ice cube, which tames the heat and amplifies the caramel and fruit notes. Its bold proof and intense sweetness make it a natural fit for several classic cocktails:

• Old Fashioned — The salted caramel and dark fruit backbone holds its own against bitters and sugar without being buried.
• Whiskey Sour — The 100 proof cuts through citrus and simple syrup, keeping the bourbon's spice front and center.
• Manhattan — The rye-forward spice in the mashbill gives the cocktail structure and complexity alongside sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors exploring the Old Forester Whiskey Row series
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values American distilling history
• Mixing high-proof Old Fashioneds at home without losing bourbon character
• Side-by-side tastings comparing bottled-in-bond expressions across distilleries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1897 Bottled in Bond taste like? It delivers a sweet, intense profile dominated by caramel, honey, and vanilla, with supporting notes of dark fruit, warm allspice, and roasted oak. The 100 proof strength gives it a full, mouth-coating texture.

How does 1897 Bottled in Bond compare to Evan Williams Bottled in Bond? Both are 100 proof Kentucky bourbons compliant with the Bottled-in-Bond Act, but Old Forester 1897 uses a higher-rye mashbill (18% rye) that contributes more spice and complexity. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond generally sits at a lower price tier and presents a lighter, more straightforward flavor profile.

Is 1897 Bottled in Bond good for sipping neat? Yes — the 50% ABV delivers bold flavor without being overly harsh, and its layered sweetness and fruit-spice complexity reward slow, undiluted sipping. A few drops of water can further open up the aromatics for those sensitive to proof.

Where is 1897 Bottled in Bond made? It is produced at the Old Forester Distilling Company in Louisville, Kentucky. The distillery operates on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, a district central to bourbon's commercial history.

What foods pair well with 1897 Bottled in Bond? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's caramel and oak depth. Dark chocolate or pecan pie mirrors its sweetness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère provides a savory counterpoint to the honey and vanilla. Apple-based desserts like tarte Tatin echo the fruit-spice notes.

What sizes does 1897 Bottled in Bond come in? The standard and most widely available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is 1897 Bottled in Bond worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium bottled-in-bond bourbon, sitting above everyday shelf staples but well below allocated or limited-release territory. The 100 proof strength, minimum four-year age, and consistent critical recognition — including a 93-point score — make it a strong value within its tier.

Why 1897 Bottled in Bond?

Old Forester has a singular claim in bourbon history: it is the longest continuously sold bourbon brand in America, never ceasing production even during Prohibition thanks to a medicinal whiskey permit. The 1897 Bottled in Bond expression channels that heritage directly, tying its production to the federal act that first established legal standards for bourbon quality and authenticity. Its 93-point rating at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that the liquid delivers on its historical promise. For drinkers who want a full-proof, transparent, and historically grounded bourbon at a reasonable outlay, this remains one of the more compelling bottled-in-bond options on the market.