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Forget generic gift guides, Old Forester Bourbon Whisky holiday bundles say, “I appreciate you. Actually.”
By Andrea Goto
To be honest, the biggest challenge during the holidays isn’t getting the dinner rolls to rise or the tree ornaments spaced equidistant apart. It’s finding that perfect gift for the person in your life who really makes a difference on a daily basis — the brother who always picks up the phone, the friend who can make you laugh at life’s worst moments and the boss who actually makes work enjoyable. These are the people who make your world go ’round a little easier. Online “gift guides” are no help, because these folks deserve so much more than a conventional (and sleepy) candle, calendar or a coffee mug. What they need — or rather what they deserve — is a gift that’s elevated and artisanal, something with provenance, and something they wouldn’t buy for themselves.
Old Forester Bourbon Whisky checks all of these boxes and more. The sixth-generation, family-owned business based in Louisville, Kentucky, has been making hand-crafted bottled bourbon whisky since 1870. More than 150 years later, Old Forester has remained consistent in its craft and quality, which each bottle signed as a personal guarantee of greatness.
In particular, the five bottles in Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series fit every palate’s preference. Additionally, each one tells a story. The Old Forester 1870 Original Batch honors the first expression in the series with soft hints of baking spices and citrus fruits that proves versatile when mixing cocktails.
In response to the U.S. Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 that required whisky be aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, the product of one distillation season, one distiller and from one distillery and bottled at 100-proof, Old Forester pivoted to comply and prosper and its 1897 Bottled in Bond expression pays tribute to that distilling tradition of “sealed in quality.” With notes of rich vanilla and roasted coffee notes, this bourbon is sweet, big and bold in flavor.
A fire in 1910 on the bottling line halted production of Old Forester. The ready-to-be-bottled whisky was then stored in a secondary barrel. What emerged was a delightful spirit, remarkable enough to become an entirely new expression. 1910 Old Fine Whisky boasts exceptional character, a smooth and sweet flavor and a clean, crisp finish.
Then, when Prohibition hit, the government granted permits to six distilleries in Kentucky to continue to bottle bourbon for medicinal purposes. Through one of these permits, Old Forester continued to be produced on Louisville’s famed Whiskey Row. It is the only bourbon that has been continually available for sale before, during and after Prohibition. To pay homage to this era, Old Forester presents 1920Prohibition Style Bourbon, representing the rich flavor profile of a historic whisky that matures to 115-proof by the time it’s bottled.
In 1924, Old Forester acquired barrels with different mash bills from distillers who’d been forced to close. The newest addition to the Whiskey Row series, 1924 10-Year-Old commemorates that moment in Old Forester history. This bottle is a standout when it comes to flavor, providing a sweeter and more caramel-forward flavor that matures for a minimum of 10 years and is best enjoyed neat.
The Whiskey Row series, or individual bottles based on preference, not only makes for a wonderful gift, but also an outstanding sipping experience at Friendsgiving and other holiday get-togethers where guests can explore the nuanced notes of bourbon whiskies steeped in tradition. For a memorable gift, include Old Forester Chocolate-dipped Bourbon Modjeskas — handmade marshmallows wrapped in caramel, hand-dipped in bourbon dark chocolate and sprinkled with smoked sea salt—made in Louisville. Or, partner a bottle with a couple of the world’s favorite bourbon whisky glasses, Old Forester Glencairn, from Scotland.
For guests or gifts, Old Forester Bourbon whisky hits the sweet spot for holiday occasions – making them meaningful and memorable.
