Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is crafted to honor a watershed moment in bourbon history – the U.S. Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
This expression follows the Bottled in Bond standards that whisky must 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. The concept behind these regulations – the idea of ‘sealed in quality’ – was something Old Forester introduced in 1870, as America’s First Bottled Bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A classically styled bourbon profile with robust, intense caramel and vanilla bean, complimented by dried fruits, sweet leather and cured tobacco.
Taste: Sticky toffee and smoky wood tones lead the flavor with figs, dates and raisins offering dimension. Black pepper and cinnamon spice provide structure and texture.
Finish: Deep fruit, spice and oak notes layered over dark caramel and vanilla. Big, bold and classic with leather and cured tobacco as it longers on.
"It’s surprising how much richer and more full bodied the Old Forester 1897 Bourbon is compared to the 1870. There is still fruit, but it is most noticeable in the nose. Confectionery-like bourbon flavors are more evident, and the body is fuller. However, it is also quite different from the other two in this series, the Old Forester 1910 and 1920, which have fuller, richer, flavors still." - Bourbon Obsessed
"A great nose, full and fruit-forward flavor profile, and an outstanding finish make this premium Bottled-in-Bond bourbon worthy of its tribute to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897." - Nick Beiter, Breaking Bourbon
"We think this is a really solid bottle - good bourbon, a big step up from the 1870 Original Batch bourbon, another member of this Whiskey Row series. The strength of 100 proof means that this bourbon has a decent mouthfeel and decent depth of flavor; because of Old Forester's heat cycling processes, we often see heavier oak influence than we might expect from other brands at the same age, and that's the case here, too. For us, the star of the show here is really the fruit - a great combination of cherry and those classic Old Forester banana notes. Baking spices backed that up with lots of sweetness - just a very well rounded, tasty bourbon." - /r/bourbon (user: adunitbx)
"Old Forester 1897 Bottle-in-Bond Bourbon finishes long, dry and warm with a pleasant herbalness, and elements of dusty corn and grain. Its fruits of fig and the ever-present Brown-Forman cherry peak in and out of seasoned dry old oak and leather. And as I sip the last drops, the soft aroma of old oak planks drying in a warehouse float from the empty Glencairn." - Brian, Whiskey For The Ages (88 Points)
"This bourbon has concentrated flavours, but they go well together. There's vanilla, red apple, citrus peel, sweet and hot spices, vitamin bottle tartness, espresso and a lot of leather. A gold old-fashioned bourbon mustiness creeps into the finish, truly giving the drinker the sensation of being transported to an old storage facility, which is probably the point." - Amanda Schuster, Distiller (88 Points)
"It is the most expensive regular release in the Old Forester line. Is it worth it? For the price I paid, yes. I really like it. I like it much more than the 1870 and am willing to pay an extra $10 to get this over that. I found it much more complex than either the 86 proof or the Signature. So, yeah, I'm already planning to buy a second bottle." - Bourbon Guy
"T akes time for the layering to harmonise, but given patience and warmth it gets there. Ultimately weighty with toasted yams and walnuts; sonorously rich on delivery, the corn oils really making a full impact from the first. Burnt fudge and toasty tannin stick like a limpet to the roof of the mouth. ; so chewy and deep, hefty molasses clinging to the overdone toast as perfected by my wonderful PA, Jane. The toast starts to slowly smoulder in a gorgeous bourbon that creeps up and mugs you. Surprsingly rich and just so lush." - Jim Murray, Whisky Bible (92.5 Points)
