old forester bourbon tours louisville

Old Forester Distillery Tour – Louisville, Kentucky

Old forester distillery tour: a journey through bourbon history and innovation.

Experience the rich tradition and innovative spirit of bourbon making with the Old Forester Distillery Tour. Situated in the heart of bourbon country, Old Forester stands as a historic icon in the American whiskey industry, blending centuries-old traditions with modern distilling techniques. This tour offers a unique opportunity for whiskey lovers and newcomers alike to delve into the world of bourbon, exploring the history, craftsmanship, and distinctive flavors of Old Forester.

The Heritage of Old Forester

A historical journey with Old Forester, America’s first bottled bourbon. The tour begins with a captivating account of the brand’s inception in the late 19th century and its pivotal role in shaping the bourbon industry. Discover the story of George Garvin Brown, the founder, and how his commitment to quality and consistency set the standard for bourbon production for generations to follow.

Exploring the Process with Old Forester Distillery Tour

Delve into the heart of bourbon making at Old Forester. The tour provides an in-depth look at the distilling process, from grain selection and milling to fermentation, distillation, and aging. Witness the craftsmanship that goes into every batch of Old Forester bourbon and learn about the unique flavor profiles created by their time-honored methods.

Tasting the Legacy: Old Forester’s Bourbon Selection

A highlight of the Old Forester Distillery Tour is the tasting experience. Savor a selection of Old Forester’s finest bourbons, each with its unique character and rich flavor profile. Guided by expert staff, these tastings offer a deeper understanding of the nuances of bourbon tasting, from the subtleties of aroma to the complexities of taste.

The Architecture and Design of the Distillery

The tour includes a stroll through the impressive Old Forester Distillery building, showcasing its blend of historical architecture and modern design. This part of the tour highlights how the distillery’s design reflects the brand’s commitment to preserving tradition while embracing innovation.

Innovation in Bourbon Production

Learn about Old Forester’s innovations in bourbon production, including their approach to barrel making, maturation, and bottling. The tour sheds light on how these modern techniques enhance the quality and distinctiveness of Old Forester’s bourbon.

An Experience for Every Bourbon Enthusiast

Whether you are a seasoned bourbon aficionado or new to the world of whiskey, the Old Forester Distillery Tour offers an enriching and memorable experience. The welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable guides ensure that every visitor gains a greater appreciation for the art of bourbon making.

Behind the Scenes: The Craft of Barrel Making

Gain unique insights into the art of barrel making at Old Forester. The tour offers a rare glimpse into the cooperage process, showcasing how the barrels are crafted and charred to perfection, a critical element in developing the bourbon’s flavor and color.

Exclusive Offerings and Limited Edition Bourbons

Discover Old Forester’s exclusive offerings and limited edition bourbons during the tour. These special releases highlight the distillery’s innovative spirit and offer guests the chance to experience some of the most unique and sought-after expressions of Old Forester bourbon.

A Must-Visit for Bourbon Lovers

The Old Forester Distillery Tour is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history, culture, and craft of American bourbon. It’s an opportunity to connect with the legacy of one of America’s most storied bourbon brands and to experience the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Old Forester.

Ready to explore the timeless world of bourbon? Book your Old Forester Distillery Tour today and join us on an unforgettable journey into the heart of bourbon making. Discover the rich history, savor the exquisite flavors, and experience the innovation that makes Old Forester a legend in the bourbon industry. Reserve your spot now for an unparalleled adventure in bourbon country!

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Old Forester Distillery

119 W Main St. Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 779-2257

301 South 4th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202

1.888.LOUISVILLE (1.888.568.4784)

Experiences served neat.

Old Forester Distillery offers a variety of tour experiences for everyone from bourbon aficionados to those new to bourbon.

Tours typically last an hour: 45 minutes of history, learning how we make our whiskies, and exploring our working cooperage followed by a 15-minute tasting of three Old Forester expressions.

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Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-57.5% Alc./Vol., Old Forester Mint Julep Cocktail, 30% Alc./Vol. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. “AMERICA’S FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON” is a trademark. ©2021 Brown-Forman Distillers. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

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Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information

Bourbon Obsessed℠

Old Forester Distillery Tour Review

• December 25, 2023
• Distilleries , Distillery Reviews

Old Forester Distillery 119 West Main Street Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 779-2222 www.oldforester.com Tour / Review

Please enjoy our Old Forester Distillery Tour Review!

Old Forester’s Historic Return to Whiskey Row

“Home again, home again, jiggety-jig”, and it only took 100 years! Old Forester Distilling Co. (the founding brand of Brown-Forman ) is finally back in its original Whiskey Row home at 119 West Main St. in Louisville, KY. This is quite a feat given the fact that, originally, the entire block of buildings had been scheduled for demolition. A fire in 2015 also threatened the distillery’s home, however Brown-Forman refused to abandon the project. At last, in June of 2018, the Old Forester Distilling Company and Visitors Center opened to the public. The space is a stylish mix of old and new. Original looking brick walls and exposed wooden beams are complimented by interior glass partitions and ample lighting. All together, they provide the perfect venue for showcasing the distillery’s beautiful 44 foot Vendome copper column still, which is uniquely located at the back of the gift shop.

Touring the New Old Forester Distillery

The new home was designed with tours in mind, allowing Old Forester the capability to offer their standard distillery tour, the Old Forester Tour , every 30 minutes. Online reservations can be made, and are encouraged, so your optimal tour time can be reserved. However, walk-ins are welcome. The Old Forester Tour is $32 and begins from 10am to 4pm Tuesday – Saturday (as of December 2023). The tour last approximately 75 minutes and includes a tasting of four Old Forester whiskeys. Tours can be booked up to 3 months in advance.

The Nothing Better In The Market Tour offers an elevated experience with an exclusive tour of the Old Forester Distillery followed by a VIP tasting. The whiskeys included in the tasting are: Old Forester Single Barrel, 1910 Old Fine Whisky, and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. This tour is offered Fridays and Saturday only, at 12:30 & 1:30pm (as of December 2023).

Various tastings are occasionally offered, often for special releases, as well as cocktail classes. Check the Old Forester website for availability.

The Old Forester Tour Experience

Visitors enter the building on the first floor where they are quickly greeted by Old Forester staff. Check in for your tour at the desk, or inquire about tour time availability if you haven’t already registered online. We had booked online, so we just had to check in.

The tour assembles at the stairs leading to the basement. Tickets are checked here and then guests proceed down to the basement where the story begins. If you’re a little early for your tour, spend some time at the display wall by the aforementioned stairs. Great old photographs and bottles are neatly displayed, as well as some early history of the brand.

Our guide, Sarah, began our tour with a history lesson. There is a considerable amount of interesting history with this brand which began back in 1870. Old Forester was the first to sell their product in glass bottles, and the first to put a seal over the top of those glass bottles. The distillery also continued its operation through prohibition, and once prohibition ended, Old Forester bourbon was left standing as the only bourbon sold by the same company before, during, and after the repeal of the 18th amendment. The company was no doubt an impressive pioneer in its earliest days.

Exploring the Fermentation Process

With some essential history covered, the tour then moves into the fermentation area. One of the interesting facets of Old Forester’s return to Whiskey Row, is that it did so without a mash cooker. According to our tour guide, Sarah, the issue was space. Instead, the mash is trucked to the distillery from the very nearby Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, KY. In the fermentation area there are four open fermenters, each with a capacity of 4500 gallons. While the massive fermenters are indeed eye-catching, equally so are the enormous wall graphics that accompany the line of fermenters. For those visual learners, the graphics are a great method to help explain a few of the specifics of the fermentation process.

Distillation and Cooperage

After fermentation comes distillation. Next we proceed up the elevator to the second floor. It’s an engaging ride up because the elevator has a glass front and is directly behind the beautiful Big Penny. This is the distillery’s affectionate name for the previously mentioned 44 foot copper column still. It’s quite the treat to see the still in action from its top section. Immediately outside the elevator is a wall of Old Forester print ads, along with a few photos from the original time period of Old Forester’s home on Main St. A quick look here, and then it’s off around the corner to view distillation in action. On the right is the spirits safe and to the left is Big Penny.

Sarah gives a quick tutorial on distillation and then we head into a very exciting yet very unusual stop on the tour, the cooperage. Exciting, because barrel making is showcased step by step, and highly unusual as Old Forester is the only Kentucky distillery to have its own operational cooperage on site. Whether it’s proper stave selection, barrel toasting and charring, or checking the new barrel for leaks, this stop on the tour offers a rarely seen part of the bourbon making process. Yet it is the barrel that performs a most crucial role in the final product. This is a must see.

Barrel Aging and Bottling

Having been schooled in barrel making 101, the next stop on the tour is through the barrel aging warehouse. This eye-catching area is unique due to a slanted walkway that was built along side of the ricks. Visitors get a bird’s eye view of the barrels from beginning to end as the tour meanders down the walkway. Another rare feature, is that there are no seasonal temperatures here. The warehouse, which can house 900 barrels, is climate controlled, ranging in temperature from 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. When at capacity, remaining barrels are aged at the Brown-Forman Distillery.

The warehouse area wraps up with a brief discussion of the angel’s share. The final stop before the tasting, is the bottling line. With just a capacity of 2400 bottles a day, this line bottles the four different Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series bourbons. Makes perfect sense given the distillery’s return to the historic Whiskey Row. With the quick walk through the bottling line complete, the final destination is the tasting area.

Tasting and Wrap-up

The tasting is held in a classroom style event space. Three bourbons were offered on our tour: the Old Forester 100, the Old Forester 1910, and the Old Forester Prohibition Style 1920. Water is provided both for drinking/clearing the palate, and also in small eye dropper bottles in order to proof down each sample if desired.

With the tasting finished, the tour then disbands into the gift shop. On the way down, visitors are afforded a second good look at Big Penny. And, of course, there are ample purchase opportunities in the gift shop from bourbon to baseball caps. As a quick final note, George’s Bar is just past the front desk toward the back of the building, and can be visited for cocktails and/or tastings. It’s open to the public, whether you are taking a tour or not. Seasonal cocktails are offered as well as the opportunity to do a tasting. Hours (10am-4:30pm as of December 2023) are a little different than the distillery’s hours, so be sure to call or check online ahead of your visit.

Conclusion – Old Forester Distillery Tour Review

A tour of Old Forester is time and money well spent. From the charm of its original historic home to its carefully planned visitor experience, this newcomer to Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row hits its mark. Old Forester ensures its visitors a unique citified distillery tour. Still a pioneer after 150 years!

We hope you have enjoyed our Old Forester Distillery Tour Review! Would you like to learn more about some of Old Forester’s Whiskey Row bourbons? Then check out our Old Forester 1910 Bourbon Review and our Old Forester 1920 Bourbon Review !

Initial visit: November 2019. Updated December 2023.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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Old Forester Distilling Co. 

Bourbon returned to historic Whiskey Row in 2018 with the opening of Old Forester Distilling Co. Old Forester bourbon tour experience offers a look inside the Louisville brand, its hometown and history of bottled bourbon. Created by George Garvin Brown, the Old Forester label has been a popular spirit across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the nation for many years.

Old Forester Distillery Tours

Your trip through the Old Forester Distillery includes all aspects of bourbon making — even the barrel! Learn about George G. Brown, see vintage bourbon bottles and get some local whiskey history. Then see bubbling tubs of mash before traveling up the elevator to see the span of Old Forester’s stories-tall copper still. Get a quick science lesson before heading to the barrel-making portion of the tour. Watch as coopers raise a barrel from start to finish, including charring the inside with live flames! 

Mint Julep partners with Old Forester for several unique bourbon experiences. On custom tours, a before-hours tour of the urban distillery is available and includes an upgraded tasting experience.

The Bourbon Tastings

Your bourbon tasting at Old Forester may include several iterations of the brand across different proofs and expressions. Sorry, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon will not be part of your tasting and is not often available for sale at the distillery.

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Things to know about Old Forester Distilling Co.

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Old Forester Distilling Co. made?

Old Forester is made at 119 W. Main St. in Louisville, Ky., and a nearby larger facility that is not open for tours in the Shively neighborhood.

Who owns Old Forester Distilling Co. ?

Old Forester is owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation. Sister brands include Woodford Reserve, Coopers Craft, Early Times and Jack Daniel’s.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Old Forester produce?

Old Forester expressions include the annual Birthday Bourbon, Statesman, President’s Choice, Signature, Classic, Single Barrel, Rye, Mint Julep Mix, and the Whiskey Row Series.

Is Old Forester Distilling Co. on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Yes, Old Forester Distilling Co. is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Which distilleries are near Old Forester Distilling Co. ?

Downtown Louisville bourbon tours include Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole, Michter’s and Kentucky Peerless.

Where can I find out more about Old Forester Distilling Co. ?

Learn about Old Forester at oldforester.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

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• Old Forester Distillery

In 1870, George Garvin Brown signed and sealed Old Forester with a promise: a guarantee of the finest quality and utmost consistency. Five generations and 150 years later, we’ve returned to Whiskey Row. Visit us to see fermentation, distillation, barrel making, maturation & bottling. Get the ultimate downtown distillery experience today. And don’t forget to stop by George’s Bar and our gift shop.

American Whiskey Trail

Our spirits.

Stop into George’s Bar and enjoy expertly made cocktails and mocktails. Or sign up for a cocktail class and learn to make your own. Tastings and bourbon flights are also available.

We offer two tours – a standard Old Forester Distillery tour and a Nothing Better in the Market tour. This tour includes an exclusive tour of the Old Forester Distillery, followed by a VIP tasting.

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Old Forester Forester -->

Old Forester is an esteemed bourbon distillery situated in Louisville, Kentucky. With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, it holds the distinction of being the longest continuously produced bourbon in America. The distillery offers an immersive tour where visitors can learn about the time-honored craftsmanship and history behind Old Forester. From the copper pot stills to the oak aging barrels, guests witness each step of the bourbon-making process. The tour concludes with a tasting of their award-winning bourbons, showcasing the brand's unwavering commitment to quality and tradition. Contact – 502.779.2222 Address – 119 West Main Street Louisville, KY 40202 (EST) Website – OldForester.com

Old Forester is an esteemed bourbon distillery situated in Louisville, Kentucky. With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, it holds the distinction of being the longest continuously produced bourbon in America. The distillery offers an immersive tour where visitors can learn about the time-honored craftsmanship and history behind Old Forester. From the copper pot stills to the oak aging barrels, guests witness each step of the bourbon-making process. The tour concludes with a tasting of their award-winning bourbons, showcasing the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality and tradition.

Contact – 502.779.2222

Address – 119 West Main Street Louisville, KY 40202 (EST)

Website – OldForester.com

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Old Forester Distillery Tour

• November 17, 2019
• Articles / Distillery Tour

The Old Forester Distillery is located at 119 W. Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, housed in the same building that the brand called home from 1882 – 1919. The Whiskey Row tours are designed for everyone, regardless of your bourbon knowledge. Tours start every 15 minutes and it’s highly recommended that you plan ahead and book a tour online.

Tickets/Scheduling

The Old Forester distillery tours are offered Tuesday – Sunday. All tickets for the tours must be purchased online in advance. Currently, Old Forester has 4 different types of tours including a VIP tour that has special scheduling requirements. The ticket price for the tours ranges from $18 – $65+. 

Each tour lasts about 45 minutes, followed by a 15 minutes tasting experience. The tour will end in the gift shop. Also, if you would like to see the Old Forester Distillery during production days, book a tour Tuesday through Saturday.

At the tasting, you will get three different samples. Old Forester likes to continually change up the samples they provide. There will be water on the table as well as a few pretzels. It is short and sweet but gets the job done!

My Experience Touring the Old Forester Distillery

The Old Forester distillery is located right off Main Street in the heart of Whiskey Row in Louisville, Kentucky. When you walk in you are greeted and asked to check-in. This review is based on the basic Old Forester distillery tour , which is given multiple times throughout the day for $18 per person.

Arrive On Time

Make sure you arrive on time, I recommend at least 10 minutes early. Trust me, I learned the hard way that Old Forester has a schedule and they stick to it! Your tour guide will call your tour group, you will then be asked to head down into a room that is lined with all the different series that Old Forester has released, including every birthday bourbon! It is pretty cool to see those bottles in person and the lighting on the bottles makes for the perfect photo.

The History of Old Forester

A short historical film will be played on the history of Old Forester. Once the film concludes, “magical doors” will open up to a beautiful fermentation room. In this room, you get the standard information regarding the Old Forester fermentation process. At this point start paying attention to the walls surrounding you, as all the walls on the tour are lined with different facts about the bourbon-making process and the distillery itself. Once you make your way out of this room you will be loaded into an elevator. Be sure you get a spot close to the window so you don’t miss the wonderful view of the multi-story still. 

Old Forester Cooperage

A short trip on the elevator brings you front and center to their in-house cooperage. If you are visiting Tuesday – Saturday, you will most likely see cooperage employees building whiskey barrels. A quick explanation of the process of barrel making and you are whisked off to the rickhouse. Make sure you look down when you get to the rickhouse so you can see where Old Forester private barrel selections take place. If you are like me, this will probably be the only time you get to see a barrel pick. As you make your way around the rickhouse pay attention to the names on the barrels, you might just see a barrel that’s been picked by someone you know or your favorite store!

Barrel Pick Wall of Fame

Right before you exit the rickhouse there is a wall with names of people who have picked the barrels from that facility, see if you can spot any you have had! Next up is the bottling station, which is crazy! It is one thing to see it when the operations are finished but it is another thing to see the mechanics of the bottling machine working at full capacity. Seriously, try to watch a bottle from start to finish, it is not easy. 

The Tour Guides

I have been on multiple tours at Old Forester distillery and have not had a bad tour guide. Each tour guide has been completely different in terms of personalities but all were very knowledgeable. Ask them questions, these guides know their stuff. 

The Tasting

Finally, it’s time for the part of the tour that most people have been waiting for, the tasting. Old Forester’s tasting room is beautifully crafted and makes for another great photo. Everyone is guided into the tasting room and is presented with three tasting glasses. People like to know what they will get to taste, however, Old Forester likes to change it up each day. Personally, I am a fan of this method because I get a new sample every time I do the tour. After you are fully educated on the proper technique for tasting bourbon, the tour concludes conveniently in the gift shop. Go ahead, buy yourself something pretty then go check out George’s Bar !

• If you want to do one of the specialty tours, book a few months in advance. There are times when they are booked 4-5 months out! Plan ahead. 
• Do. Not. Be. Late. Trust me, I have learned this one the hard way. When they say check-in 5 minutes early they mean it!
• Plan a little extra time to check out George’s Bar. It is to the left of the gift shop and they make some really great drinks!

Ready to book your tour?

Visit the Old Forester Website and Book Your Tour!

About Old Forester

Old Forester is officially the longest running bourbon on the market today, with the first bottle being produced in 1870. The brand was originally created by George Garbon Brown and named after Dr. William Forrester. To show the quality and personal guarantee of his products, George sealed his bottles of whiskey in glass bottles and signed each one. During Prohibition Old Forester was one of only a handful of companies permitted to sell and manufacture whiskey during prohibition. Today it’s the only one of those handful of companies still in the whiskey business today.

Today Old Forester opportates at 119 W. Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, housed in the same building that that the brand called home from 1882 – 1919. Additionally, it’s the only downtown distillery that also houses its own cooperage, charring barrels in the same facility where spirits are being aged. Today, Old Forester remains the only Bourbon continually sold by the same company before, during, and after prohibition.

Old Forester Distillery

  119 W Main Street Louisville, KY 40202

Phone : (502) 779-2222

Web : oldforester.com

Monday : Closed Tuesday : 10am – 6pm Wednesday : 10am – 6pm Thursday : 10am – 6pm Friday : 10am – 7pm Saturday : 10am – 7pm Sunday :12-5pm

SAT-SUN 10:00 – 14:00

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Courtney Stiers

This post has one comment.

Old Forester tour is one of the best in Louisville. With the cooperage on site you get a complete understanding of how you go from distillate to whiskey. Take timeout and do not miss out George’s Bar! Great cocktails.

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Old Forester Distillery

• 119 W Main St.
• Louisville, KY 40202, KY  40202

Returning to the same building it once called home, Old Forester Distilling Co. opened to the public on National Bourbon Day in 2018. The distillery is the culmination of a nearly 150-year legacy that began in 1870 when George Garvin Brown changed the spirits industry forever when he sealed whisky in a glass bottle. He set up shop on Louisville’s Main Street - dubbed Whiskey Row - the hub of the Bourbon business in Kentucky. On the distillery tour you’ll follow the Bourbon making process in an immersive experience that leads you from fermentation and distillation, to the on-site cooperage where handcrafted barrels will be raised and fired, then aged in an on-site maturation warehouse before bottling and shipment across the globe.

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Old Forester Distillery

The Old Forester Distillery sits on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, Kentucky inside the same building it once called home in the early 1900. The distillery is a culmination of a nearly 150-year legacy that began in 1870 when George Garvin Brown, a young pharmaceutical sales rep, changed the spirits industry forever when he sealed whisky in a glass bottle. He signed his name – as a guarantee of consistency and quality, declaring “there is nothing better in the market.”

Visitors to the distillery will follow the bourbon making process in an immersive experience that leads them from fermentation and distillation, to the on-site cooperage where handcrafted barrels will be raised and fired, then aged in an on-site maturation warehouse before bottling and shipment across the globe.

Distillery Tour Follows Whisky’s Journey from Grain to Glass

Four 4,500 gallon tanks guide guests to a glass elevator, where they ascend through a light-filled atrium in full view of the 44-foot-tall copper column still, designed and constructed by Vendome Copper & Brass Works in Louisville, bringing the distillation process to life.

Guests then make their way to the cooperage. Brown-Forman is the only major spirits company to craft its own new barrels, and the process is seamlessly integrated into the new downtown distillery. Tour guests will look on as coopers hand raise each barrel and will feel the heat as they witness the charring of a barrel. In full view, barrels are tested and filled before making their way to the aging warehouse.

Down a charred, wood-lined hallway, guests are guided through the colors, flavors, and aromas that whisky takes on during its time in a barrel. Unique to Old Forester Distilling Co., guests enter the on-site, three-story warehouse from the highest rack, offering a bird’s eye view. A catwalk leads guests down through the warehouse, where roughly 900 barrels will age.

Distillery Tours – Please visit our website to learn more about our exciting tour options and book your Old Forester Distillery experience today.

Get Your Hands on a Handcrafted Cocktail – Stop into George’s Bar and enjoy expertly made cocktails and mocktails. Or sign up for a cocktail class and learn to make your own. Tastings and bourbon flights are also available. Learn more here .

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Visit the Old Forester Distillery website here . Call 502-779-2222 Email [email protected]

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Bourbon History…& Actual Bourbon At Louisville’s Old Forester Distilling Company

There’s something to be said for being the original.   In an industry saturated with legends and larger-than-life figures, it can be hard to stand out—but Old Forester Distillery manages.

There are so many amazing bourbon distilleries you can visit in Kentucky, and even just in Louisville proper.  But I feel like you’d be missing out if one of your first ones was NOT Old Forester Distillery.  It’s got the historic chops to back up its claims (in 1870, founder George Garvin Brown was the first to bottle bourbon), a beautiful historic and also state-of-the-art location in downtown Louisville, and a fun and informative tour experience for bourbon novice and obsessive alike.

Full disclosure, I work for Brown-Forman, who owns Old Forester.  However, they have no relationship or endorsement with this blog, and I’ve toured on my own dime a time or two.  All opinions are, as always, completely my own.  

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What’s Whiskey Row??

Old Forester Distillery is located on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row , which used to be the commercial hub for the bourbon industry through the 1800s up until Prohibition.  These buildings back right up to the Ohio River, allowing for each loading and transport back in the 19th century steamboat heyday.

If you haven’t given downtown Louisville a wander, I highly recommend it…it’s small and easily walkable, and has a number of beautiful old Revivalist and Chicago School-style buildings and cast iron facades from the late 1800s.  Whiskey Row has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2010, and it narrowly escaped being demolished around that time.

Here’s the entrance to Old Forester…if you’re really lucky and catch the right day and time, you might get to experience the Whisky Drummer, where a snazzy big bass drum out front accompanies the rolling of barrels to the trucks (paying homage to a historic practice).

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What to expect at Old Forester Distillery

Once you get checked in, you can sit and wait for your tour or take a peek into the retail store.  There you’ll get a full look at “Big Penny”, the beautiful shiny 44-foot copper column still that juts up through the entire building.

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The regular tours typically last an hour, including 45 minutes of history, learning about their whisky-making process, and including a walk through their working cooperage.  Then there’s a 15-minute tasting of three Old Forester expressions (the expressions on offer vary week-to-week).

You can just walk in and get your ticket, usually tours are offered every hour on the hour, but COVID has obviously changed that.  You definitely want to check and book ahead, especially during peak days and seasons (for example weekend, Derby and summer/fall in general).

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The distillery opened in 2018, at the site of the company’s previous Whiskey Row offices (117 Main).  It’s designed to showcase the entire whiskey-making process, from fermentation to barrel making, filling, aging, bottling, and everything in between (though the initial “mashing” takes place off-site).

They *do* actually make and age some of the brand’s bourbon here, but the majority is done at their larger distillery in south Louisville, as downtown doesn’t have enough space.

One of the things that makes Old Forester (and its Brown-Forman U.S. whiskey siblings) completely unique in the bourbon world is that they make their own barrels, and they’ve built a small working cooperage in the distillery so that visitors can also see the amazing craft at work.  No other distillery tour has this.

Most bourbon companies buy their barrels, but the company believes so strongly that 50% of the bourbon’s flavor (and 100% of the color) comes from the barrels, so they want to control the whole process…MORE ON THAT LATER.

The cooperage is only working on certain days (so check ahead of time), but you can watch coopers set the hoops, pull and arrange the staves, bring everything together, test them, char them, and more.  You might even get to press the “fire” button to char the barrels yourself!

From the cooperage, you’ll head toward the barrel rackhouse and hear about the aging process.  Man, I love a good barrel warehouse!

In addition to the process, the tour also focuses a lot of the company’s history.  Old Forester is the only bourbon to be continuously made and sold by the same company before, during, and after Prohibition.

The enterprising Brown family was able to secure one of only a few (6, to be exact) permits to manufacture and sell whiskey during the 1920s (for “medical” purposes)…talk about forward-thinking!  You can see more of their cool historical notes here .

Why does it matter that Old Forester was the first to blend batches of bourbon and then bottle it?  Well, at the time you’d just go, like, to the drugstore, and draw yourself some whiskey out of the barrels.

But quality varied dramatically, there were no standards (you could just lie), plus there were a LOT of shenanigans going on at the time, like adding all sorts of things to the whiskey (often to increase amounts and thereby profits).  Some were gross but maybe harmless (prune juice, tobacco juice), some maybe less so (sulfuric acid, sawdust).   People rolled the dice each time they drank or took some as medicine, and plenty got sick or died.

So George Garvin Brown began buying whiskey from reputable distilleries, blending batches for consistency, bottling and sealing them, and signing his own name to prove he stood by them…though branding them with a Dr. Forrester’s name.  Now we take it for granted that whiskey comes in bottles, but GGB was the O.G.

At the end of the tour you can taste three different expressions of Old Forester, with explanations of each and how they differ, tasting notes, and more.  I heard a rumor that they also added a modjeska to the tasting as well, a local candy treat consisting of marshmallow dipped in caramel (with bourbon, natch).  I’ve never had one but people rave about them.

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Want a lovely cocktail to finish your tour…or don’t have time for a tour and still want the Old Forester experience??  Wander into George’s Bar, named after founder George Garvin Brown (fondly called GGB by those working on the brand).  Their cocktails are super cool—this is where I had my first ever clarified milk punch—and even the mocktails are interesting and delicious.

I’m not sure when or if it’s open to the public, but the rooftop patio is beautiful and has great views, and can be rented for events.  I’m a sucker for a rooftop with a view.  The distillery has events sometimes, like cocktail classes, or even yoga (which I assume is on the rooftop??).  Once COVID gets better I assume they’ll start up again.

If you are feeling peckish after your tour, there are a number of great restaurants in easy walking distance in downtown Louisville.  Just next door and across the street you have Doc Crow’s or Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, or you can head up a ways and see the eclectic art and have delicious food and cocktails at Proof (in the 21C Hotel).

But okay, I know I teased some extra barrel goodness at the beginning.  Want to take it a step further??

Brown-Forman Cooperage

This is something that not as many people have visited, though it can be toured by the public in small groups via Mint Julep Tours and other more private group tours.  This is a large working cooperage, where the magic is made!

Watching the coopers go about their work is really amazing.  You can see how confidently and quickly they grab staves to get perfect watertight fit, how they steam and bow the shape in the hoops, and then how finished barrels are tested to make sure they’re perfect, then toasted and charred.

There’s sadly no whiskey at the end, but it really is a unique angle on the process if you’re a whiskey nerd or just like to see how things work.

So, have I convinced you to plan a trip to bourbon country ASAPronto??  I’m still trying to get to more local Louisville distilleries (everything’s shut down right now due to COVID plus it being the quietest time of year), but Old Forester should definitely be on your list!

Planning your visit to Old Forester Distillery

• Make sure to check Old Forester’s website for details on what’s open, days, times, and tours.
• The main tour takes about an hour, split into about 45 minute tour and 15 minute tasting.
• Make sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early to get checked in.  It’s great to wander through the retail shop and get a glimpse of the giant copper still.
• If you have time before or after, have a cocktail in George’s Bar (delish!).
• Some great places to eat in the area include Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, Doc Crow’s, Mussel & Burger Bar, Proof on Main (in the 21C), and the new Repeal (steakhouse) and Bitters End (bar) in the Distil hotel right next door to the distillery.

Other spirit-ed adventures you’ll love:

• What It’s Like Touring Jameson Distillery In Dublin
• On The Scotch Whisky Trail: Glendronach, BenRiach, Glenglassaugh
• Cider Making & ‘Keeving It Real’ In Ireland’s Boyne Valley
• A Whiskey Pilgrimage: Visiting The Historic Jack Daniel’s Distillery
• Touring Louisville’s Modern Rabbit Hole Distillery
• Mixin’ It Up On A BACARDÍ Distillery Tour In San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Comments (2)

David Labus

May 17, 2021 at 4:02 pm

We are planning a Bourbon Trail trip this summer or fall. We want to visit your distillery. Do you require advance arrangements? Please fill me in with details. Thank you!

May 20, 2021 at 1:26 pm

Hi David! The best place to find out would be oldforester.com, as they’ll keep that updated with their offerings…things in Kentucky are still in the midst of opening so it’s touch and go. I believe Old Forester is starting to offer tastings (not a full tour), and only putting them on the website the day-of. So if you go to their site > Book a Tour > “Tastings” (at the bottom) you can see what’s available each morning. You can also call them to find out what’s upcoming. BUT, since you’re coming later this year, hopefully things will be up and running normally soon, and the website will always reflect what’s possible. Enjoy your trip!

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Old Forester

A century and a half ago, Whiskey Row was the economic center of Louisville – home to distillers, wholesalers and Old Forester, America’s First Bottled Bourbon ™ . In 1870, George Garvin Brown signed and sealed Old Forester with a promise: a handwritten guarantee to produce Bourbon of the highest consistent quality. As you step into 119 West Main Street, the same four walls that Old Forester called home before Prohibition, you’ll see that the times have changed, but the promise of sealed-in quality from the First Bottled Bourbon endures.

You can’t separate the stories of Bourbon and Louisville – a rich, entwined history that’s created the fabric of our hometown. At the Old Forester Distilling Company, you’ll learn about the histories of both, and of course, that of the Hometown Bourbon of Bourbon’s Hometown.

Tours & Experiences

• Angel’s Envy
• Bardstown Bourbon Co.
• Evan Williams
• Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling
• Green River
• Heaven Hill
• James B. Beam
• Maker’s Mark
• Michter’s
• Rabbit Hole
• Stitzel-Weller
• Town Branch
• Wild Turkey
• Wilderness Trail
• Woodford Reserve

We’re right back where we started.

Address: 119 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Phone Number: ( 502) 779-2222

DISTILLERY HOURS

CLOSED JANUARY 22ND

Old Forester Distilling Co. experienced a leak which caused significant flooding in the common areas of the distillery. For the safety of our guests and staff, we will need to close until the problem is resolved. We anticipate our operation will resume on Tuesday. All reserved tours will be refunded in full. Thank you for your understanding and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Monday: Closed Tuesday-Saturday: 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. EST Sunday: Closed

GEORGE’S BAR HOURS

Closed to the public.

BOTTLE SHOP AND RETAIL HOURS

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Please Sip Responsibly

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 43-57.5% Alc./Vol., Old Forester Mint Julep Cocktail, 30% Alc./Vol. Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. “AMERICA’S FIRST BOTTLED BOURBON” is a trademark. ©2024 Brown-Forman Distillers. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Please do not share or forward this content to anyone under the legal drinking age.

To find out more about responsible consumption, visit Responsibility.org and OurThinkingAboutDrinking.com

Wealth of Geeks

13+ Things To Do in Louisville Kentucky for Year-Round Fun

Posted: January 14, 2024 | Last updated: January 14, 2024

Louisville, Kentucky, is nicknamed “Bourbon Country” for a good reason. The city is famous for bourbon production. Still, there’s so much more to this fabulous Southern city. Bourbon is the main attraction, but fun is abundant for all ages. Here are the best things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, for year-round fun that you’re sure to enjoy.

Louisville is the largest city in the Bluegrass State. It’s a city full of museums, baseball, outdoor adventures, and art. They’re proud of their horse racing heritage, hot brown sandwiches, and bourbon production. Combine all of it, and it’s one of the most sought-after Southern cities for travel.

There’s no wrong time to visit Louisville , but there are more crowded times (like during May for the Kentucky Derby). Plan a jam-packed itinerary with all these things to do in Louisville, and you’ll have a memorable time.

Best Things To Do in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville has a defined downtown area, but I recommend driving around the city. A few Louisville attractions aren’t centrally located but are worth the short drive from downtown.

1. Churchill Downs & the Kentucky Derby Museum

The two minutes of derby excitement thrives year-round in The  Kentucky Derby Museum . There’s a history behind everything you love about the Derby: the roses, mint juleps, and famed horses. The Derby Museum walks you through the history of racing and how Louisville became the thoroughbred city it is today. 

There’s a virtual reality experience where kids can “ride” on a horse and race via a computer screen. Try on jockey outfits and see how the jockeys weigh in before the race. The famous Triple Crown trophy is on display; there’s artwork throughout the museum, and kids will love learning about the horses and how they were named. 

A 30-minute tour of the grandstands is included with museum admission, but others are available for an upgrade price. Remember to stop by the cafe for a slice of Kentucky Derby pie and pick up your  Kentucky Bourbon Trail  passport. Drink a mint julep and acquire your first stamp!

2. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Tours

Second to Bourbon, there’s plenty of baseball history in Louisville. Did you know the  Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory  produces over 1.8 million wood bats annually? You can’t miss the giant bat, a replica of Babe Ruth’s bat, that stands 120 feet tall outside the museum. Guests can tour the factory to see how the bats are made and take home a mini bat!

The museum includes a bat vault where you can see a collection of bats used by the most famous baseball players. If you upgrade your factory tour, they’ll personalize the experience according to your favorite players and teams. Plus, the upgraded tour includes a personalized mini bat.

3. Louisville Slugger Field

After seeing how the famous bats are made, you’ve got to catch a game at the Louisville Slugger Field. It’s the home field for the Louisville Bats, a professional baseball team, Triple-A affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds. It’s a beautiful ballpark and central to the downtown hotels and attractions. The Louisville Slugger Field offers a Kids Club Membership with a replica jersey and free admission to all Sunday home games.

4. Muhammad Ali Center

Louisville is the birthplace of Muhammad Ali, the world-famous boxer known for being the first fighter to win the world heavyweight championship on three occasions. The Muhammad Ali Center chronicles the late boxer’s life and achievements inside and outside the ring. 

The museum does a great job of showcasing his humanitarian efforts, and it’s one of the stops along the Civil Rights Trail. There are interactive exhibits that include shadow-boxing and a create-your-own Wheaties box! In addition to the museum, Louisville tourists can drive by his childhood home at 3302 Grand Ave.

5. Big Four Bridge

The best views of Louisville are on the Big Four Bridge. Formerly a railroad-only bridge, it’s now open to pedestrian and bike traffic. The bridge crosses the Ohio River, connecting Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana. The entire distance totals two miles. You will surely get a good workout if you walk from one state to another and back again. Plus, you really can’t beat the views from the bridge!

6. Kentucky Science Center

The world of STEM comes to life at the  Kentucky Science Center . Little imaginations will soar with the interactive exhibits that make learning fun. The Kentucky Science Center is the premier kid destination in Louisville, but even the adults have fun playing at the center. 

In total, there are four stories of exhibits to explore. It’s hard to see the whole museum in one visit. Exhibits range from healthy body lessons to seeing an actual mummy. It’s sure to bring out the science nerd in your kids.

7. Old Louisville

If you’re a fan of Victorian-era architecture, you’ll love  Old Louisville . This National Preservation District is home to the most extensive contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States. Begin your visit at the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center in Central Park, an urban oasis with a vine-laden pergola with beautiful views and walking paths. They offer daily 60-minute walking tours.

8. Louisville Mega Cavern

If you love a classic ropes course, you’ve got to experience the underground ropes course at the Louisville Mega Cavern . It’s a former limestone mine, and today it’s the city’s most popular attraction. A tour guide leads the ropes course which lasts 2 hours to see the entire manufactured cave.

For those less adventurous, there’s a tram tour. The tram tour focuses on the informational side of the cavern. Learn about the history, geological wonders, and technology used in the cavern today.

9. Frazier History Museum

The  Frazier History Museum  has over 100,000 square feet of Kentucky history. You can’t miss the museum as it’s situated right on Main Street. It’s the welcome center for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and features up to nine exhibits at a time, including temporary traveling exhibits. Some noteworthy artifacts include President Theodore Roosevelt’s “big stick” and Geronimo’s bow. No two visits are alike, as the museum constantly updates its offerings.

10. Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Hop onboard the “most widely traveled river steamboat in American history” when you ride on the Belle of Louisville . The steamboat is owned and operated by the city and moored at the downtown wharf. Pick from a moonlight cruise or even a ride with Santa. It’s a distinctive way to experience Louisville, and  it’s air-conditioned.  

11. Louisville Zoo

There are over 1500 animals to see and over 130 acres of exhibits to explore at the  Louisville Zoo . Some of the exhibits include the botanical gardens. The specialty exhibits include different habitats: Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits (North, Central, and South America), Australian Outback, and the Aquarium. The zoo works continuously to teach conservation through community outreach. Kids love their playground, carousel, and petting zoo areas. 

12. Cave Hill Cemetary

Cave Hill is one of the more eerie things to do in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cave Hill Cemetary is the final resting place of Louisville’s most famous. Colonel Sanders from Kentucky Fried Chicken is buried in Cave Hill along with Muhammed Ali and Patty Hill (who wrote the “Happy Birthday” song) . The  Cave Hill Heritage Foundation guided tours  are offered throughout the year, whether you pick a walking, wagon, or golf cart tour. The themed tours focus on Civil War Heroes, women of Cave Hill, and Bourbon Distillers of Cave Hill, to name a few. 

13. Speed Art Museum

The Speed Art Museum houses Louisville’s most prestigious pieces of visual art. Located near the University of Louisville, the museum is art itself with modern architecture and unique outdoor spaces to enjoy. Find Native American Art to Contemporary pieces. The museum is most famous for its Degas, Picasso and Monet. 

14. Urban Bourbon Trail

Yet another bourbon trail needs to be explored: The Urban Bourbon Trail . This trail features the downtown distilleries and Louisville restaurants. It’s a culinary experience highlighting the best bourbon drinks in the city. The city’s official cocktail is the Old Fashioned, and there are plenty of versions to try on the Urban Bourbon Trail list. If you complete the trail by visiting at least six participating locations, you’ll earn an Urban Bourbon Trailblazer t-shirt from the visitors center!

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Summer is almost here! But that doesn't necessarily mean endless hours of doing nothing, especially in Louisville, Kentucky.

Whether you're seeking something outdoorsy or food-related, looking for live outdoor music, or something out of the ordinary, we've got you covered.

Ready to start enjoying life? Here's our unofficial ultimate Louisville summer bucket list.

We'll update this page throughout the summer with more information and links. Did we miss something? Send a note to [email protected].

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Uniquely Kentucky travel

Kentucky's Joy Ride campaign is all about slow travel. What that means: Rather than a whirlwind trip changing locations every two to three days, slow travel is a more authentic experience. How you can do that in Kentucky.

7 Kentucky towns you should visit on your next in-state road trip : If you are itching to slow down in a small town, here are seven you should visit soon.

Exploring Mammoth Cave: Your guide to a unique Kentucky attraction : Mammoth Cave is a Kentucky icon. From fees to hotels to times of operation, here's what you should know if you're planning a visit.

Rail Explorers railbike tour opens in Kentucky. Here's what to know : Bluegrass Rail Explorer is a new Kentucky company offering unique adventures on pedal-assist railbikes along a seldom-used railroad track.

Louisville Whiskey Row Walking Tour: Blend history with bourbon tasting: Known as "The Bourbon Baron," Drew Shryock's Whiskey Row Walking Tour in downtown Louisville is the perfect blend of bourbon history with tastings.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

4 music festival, plus 13 other concerts heading to Louisville in May. Here's what to know

There's a monstrous amount of music and entertainment making its way to Derby City in May.

We'll start by mentioning that Louisville native Jack Harlow has pulled together a stellar lineup for his first multi-artist festival on Memorial Day weekend. Gazebo Fest , a two-day music event held May 25 -26 at Waterfront Park , will feature multiple acts including SZA and Vince Staples on Saturday and Harlow and Omar Apollo on Sunday. For the full lineup and tickets check out gazebofest.com .

But first, Poorcastle returns for a tenth year May 17-19. The three-day festival fueled by more than 30 local artists is held at Breslin Park, 1400 Payne St. Tickets start at $35 for the multi-day concerts. Visit poorcastle.com for information and tickets.

Memorial Day weekend marks the return of the world's largest Beattles-inspired music festival at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Fans of the Fab Four are looking forward to the return of Abbey Road on the River . The five-day festival, held May 23-27, features Beatles and 60s-themed concerts performed by 50 different bands from around the world. The festival lineup and ticket information are available online at arotr.com .

And if Bluegrass music is your thing, Forest Fest is back for its 17th year on Saturday, May 18. This free day-long music festival is held in Jefferson Memorial Forest, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road in Fairdale. The 2024 lineup includes The Montvales , Relaay, Bibelhauser Brothers , The Wheelhouse Rousters , and Songs From The Road Band . For more information visit, facebook.com/ForestFestLouisville .

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Here are more of the major entertainment acts headed to town in May.

Greta Van Fleet

WHAT : Back in Louisville for the first time since a 2022 Bourbon & Beyond Festival appearance, Grammy-winning rock band  Greta Van Fleet  makes a stop at KFC YUM Center as part of the band's successful "Starcatcher World Tour." The Michigan-bred, Nashville-based rockers won the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2019 with "From the Fires" and were nominated in the same category for its most recent studio album "Starcatcher" at the 66th Grammy Awards held in February 2024.

WHERE: KFC Yum Center, 1 Arena Plaza

WHEN : Thursday, May 16

COST : Tickets start at $50. Find tickets online at kfcyumcenter.com .

Jerry Seinfeld

WHAT: Button up your " puffy shirt " and " giddy up " to the Louisville Palace Theater for a night of laughs and " yada yada yada ." America's favorite standup comedian and sitcom star, Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Louisville for two shows in May.

WHERE : The Louisville Palace, 625 S Fourth St.

WHEN: Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

COST : Tickets start at $87. Purchase tickets online at livenation.com .

WHAT: The legendary rock band Heart has gone back on the road for the first time after a five-year hiatus. Heart, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, is known for hits, “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” and “These Dreams." The band's current lineup includes Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Ryan Wariner, Ryan Waters, Paul Moak, Tony Lucido, and Sean T Lane. The celebrated rock band Cheap Trick joins Heart on the Royal Flush Tour 2024.

WHERE : KFC Yum Center, 1 Arena Plaza

WHEN : Saturday, May 18

COST: Tickets start at $35. Purchase tickets online at kfcyumcenter.com

Here are other shows taking place this month:

Brown Theatre

315 W. Broadway, kentuckyperformingarts.org

• David Feherty : Thursday, May 16

Kentucky Center for Performing Arts

501 W Main St., kentuckyperformingarts.org

• Ali Siddiq : Friday, May 10
• PNC Broadway in Louisville presents " Beetlejuice ": May 14-19

The Louisville Palace

625 S Fourth St., livenation.com

• An Evening with Patti LaBelle : Friday, May 10
• City and Colour: Tuesday, May 14
• Gary Clark Jr .: Wednesday, May 22
• Chicago : Friday, Mary 24

Mercury Ballroom

611 S. Fourth St. 4th St., mercuryballroom.com

• Better Than Ezra : Tuesday, May 7

Old Forester's Paristown Hall

724 Brent St.,  kentuckyperformingarts.org

• Slowdrive : Tuesday, May 7
• Old Crow Medicine Show : Friday, May 10

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

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The 50 Best Bourbons of the 21st Century (So Far)

Building the new whiskey canon., jonah flicker, jonah flicker's most recent stories, you’ll need an nba salary to drink steph curry’s new 15-year-old bourbon, woodford reserve’s new bourbon is a delicious accident, whistlepig’s new wheat whiskey was aged in barrels charred by a camping stove.

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A lot of new bourbon has been released since the start of the 21st century, as the category has surged in popularity to reclaim, or even surpass, the standing it once had. That means there have been innovations in the world of this strictly defined style of whiskey, from new cask finishes to playing around with mashbills (always at least 51 percent corn by law), and even putting barrels into experimental warehouses to see how it affects the flavor. There have been some great successes, along with a few failures, but overall the past quarter century has been a boom time for bourbon.

We compiled a list of the most important bourbons released since 2000, including a few brands that were founded earlier but reached their pinnacle of success over the past 24 years and change. “Important” is a subjective term, but for this list it means bourbons that had some impact on consumers, the industry, or the general trajectory of the category. That means there might be some here that you don’t particularly care for, and that’s okay because even if a certain bourbon isn’t your favorite, it still might have made a mark on category.

I have been writing about bourbon , and other styles of whiskey, for a decade. During that time, I have tried hundreds of expressions from every major distillery in the U.S. along with many craft operations, and have gotten to sample bourbon from nearly every state with mashbills ranging from high-rye to low-rye to 100 percent corn. I also judge whiskey and other spirits for two competitions—the John Barleycorn Awards and New York World Wine and Spirits Competition—and write about spirits for numerous media outlets, so I’ve had a chance to hone my palate over the years.

I chose the bourbons on this list by considering a few factors. As explained before, the whiskey’s importance to the category played the biggest part, but quality, flavor, and availability were also taken into consideration. That being said, there are some bourbons on this list that are incredibly difficult to find, and extremely expensive if you do, but made the list because of the importance they have had. Take a look and see how many you’ve been able to try, and how many you should add to your whiskey wish list.

Thirteenth Colony Southern Bourbon Whiskey

There is a lot of great bourbon being made outside of Kentucky , and whiskey fans have taken particular note of Georgia’s Thirteenth Colony over the past few years. The bourbon is made from a mashbill of 70 percent corn and 21 percent rye, giving it a healthy dose of spice, and it is aged between four and six years. At 95 proof there’s a bit of heat on the palate, but that’s tempered by notes of baking spice, vanilla, and a bit of tannic leather.

Milam & Greene Very Small Batch

Heather Greene switched careers a few years ago—from whiskey expert and author to blender and distillery CEO (and still a whiskey expert)—and the whiskey world has been better off for it. Milam & Greene Very Small Batch is a blend of Kentucky and Tennessee bourbon that is finished with charred French oak staves and bottled at 108 proof. There have only been two batches released so far, and both have been fiercely good, really leaning into what Greene describes as jammy dark fruit notes on the palate.

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon

The strength of this Wyoming distillery can be attributed in large part to the involvement of Steve Nally as master distiller, whose long whiskey career includes three decades at Maker’s Mark . He’s moved on, but this wheated bourbon remains strong, with a notable fruity character complemented by spice and vanilla notes. Scottish drinks company Edrington owns the distillery now, but the team continues to make the bourbon it set out to produce and has expanded the portfolio to include a variety of other whiskeys.

Woodinville Straight Bourbon

This Washington State craft distillery is now owned by Moet Hennessy, but it continues to make bourbon in small batches that can stand with anything produced by the legacy distilleries in Kentucky. The whiskey is shipped to the eastern part of the state to age, and the climate there does wonders to the liquid. There are several cask-finished expressions available, but start with the core bourbon to experience its creamy mouthfeel and complex palate full of classic bourbon notes.

Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon

Still Austin is a distillery located in the Texas capital making some extremely good craft whiskey that should really be on more people’s radars. It’s still a relatively small operation, and maybe that’s a good thing because it allows the team there to distill expressions like this excellent Red Corn Bourbon as part of its bottled-in-bond series. The mashbill includes nearly equal parts red and white corn, in addition to rye and barley, and the resulting bourbon is a superlative effort with notes of burnt marshmallow, vanilla pudding, spiced apple, and oaky smoke.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7

This bourbon is produced by West Virginia distillery Smooth Ambler, which sources some of its whiskey (including this one) from MGP in Indiana. For a while the stocks had run low and the whiskey was not widely available, but it’s back now as a seven-year-old, high-rye (36 percent in the mashbill), non-chill filtered bourbon that hits all the right nots. At 99 proof, the flavor is bold and brash with notes of leather, tobacco, custard, and baking spices on the palate.

Willett Pot Still Reserve

The Willett name has a long history in Kentucky bourbon, but the current distillery has only been making whiskey for a little more than a decade. The Pot Still Reserve expression, first introduced in 2008, is instantly recognizable for its bottle shaped like the titular still, and can be a polarizing one for bourbon fans. In the early years the bourbon was sourced, and many people thought those bottlings were better than the younger liquid produced in-house that gradually replaced it. Try to find one of both to compare, but be prepared to pay a lot on the secondary market.

Wild Turkey 101

This bourbon could not be left off this list, and not just because the label got a redesign in 2022. We’ve discussed Master’s Keep and Rare Breed, but this affordable and dependable workhorse of a bourbon is one of the best that you can find, and that has remained true over the past quarter century. There’s an 81-proof version as well, but really why bother? Wild Turkey 101 never fails to deliver with its signature nutty, grainy, vanilla, pepper flavor profile that has made it an icon of bourbon, and pop culture, for a reason.

Rabbit Hole Mizunara Founder’s Collection

Rabbit Hole, located in downtown Louisville, both sources and distills its own whiskey. The core expression is a four-grain bourbon, but the distillery also has the high-end, limited-edition Founder’s Collection that is made up of other styles of whiskey. The barrels used for this come from founder Kaveh Zamanian’s private stocks, and the best release so far is the Mizunara expression. The second release of this whiskey is a 15-year-old bourbon finished in Japanese oak for almost a year, resulting in a chocolate and caramel coated spice bomb of a whiskey.

Laws Whiskey House Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon

Laws is a Colorado distillery that has been releasing increasingly older expressions of its bottled-in-bond bourbon. The whiskey is made from a four-grain mashbill that includes heirloom wheat, rye, and malted barley, in addition to corn. The most recent expression was eight years old, which is well beyond the four years required by the BIB designation. There are distinctive fruit and licorice notes to this bourbon, which is another reason to seek it out.

Kentucky Owl Batch 12

Dixon Dedman revived his family brand and turned it into a cult whiskey success story, releasing batches of sourced bourbon that sell for hundreds of dollars per bottle. He’s since moved on, and Stoli now owns the brand (and is building a distillery), but the batches of bourbon keep coming and are still very good under the watchful eye of master blender John Rhea. The 12th batch combined bourbon aged four to 14 years, a creamy butterscotch candy of a whiskey that fired on all cylinders.

Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Bourbon

Travel a few hours north of New York City to the Hudson Valley and you’ll find Hillock Estate, a grain-to-glass distillery that is making high-end bourbon, rye, and malt whiskey. The bourbon is quite good, aged in a solera-style system that incorporates older liquid into the blend before being finished in 20-year-old Oloroso sherry casks. There is a lot of craft bourbon from outside of Kentucky to try, and this is one of the better examples of that category.

Remus Gatsby Reserve

MGP makes whiskey for many different brands, including Dickel, Smooth Ambler, and Bulleit. But it also has its own lineup named after the notorious bootlegger George Remus. The pinnacle expression is the annual release of Remus Gatsby Reserve, a 15-year-old bourbon that is decadent and delicious, with equal parts sweetness, spice, and tannic oak that doesn’t overwhelm notes of fruit and black pepper.

Henry McKenna Single Barrel

At 10-years-old, this bottled-in-bond bourbon from Kentucky distillery Heaven Hill sits in the sweet spot of maturation. It’s a single-barrel expression, so every bottle will be slightly different depending on which cask it came from. Still, it’s a uniformly respected bourbon that has increased in price as its popularity has grown, with a palate that is classic bourbon—notes of vanilla, spice, blackberries, and caramelized brown sugar on every sip.

Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blenders’ Edition

It makes sense to be a little dubious about a celebrity spirit, but Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door whiskey is the real deal. The brand took over a Kentucky distillery last year, but for years the company sourced bourbon and rye from distilleries in Tennessee and Indiana, sometimes finishing the whiskey in different types of barrels. That is the case with this fantastic entry in the Master Blenders’ series, a 10-year-old bourbon finished in Redbreast single pot still Irish whiskey casks for 15 months. It’s a great meeting of whiskey worlds, and a cask finish that truly works.

Garrison Brothers Guadalupe

Texas bourbon is booming, and Garrison Brothers is one of the main reasons why. This distillery about an hour outside of Austin was the first to legally make whiskey in the state since Prohibition when it was founded in 2005, although nowadays it has some fierce competition. The wheated bourbon made there is not for everyone—the intense climate and use of some small barrels to mature the whiskey really gives it a concentrated oaky flavor. But this is big, bold Texas bourbon, and the Guadalupe expression in particular, stands out due its two-year secondary maturation in port casks which adds fruity tannic notes to the mix.

Frey Ranch Bourbon

Out in the Nevada desert, the husband-wife team that runs the Frey Ranch distillery is making whiskey using a true grain-to-glass model. The distillery’s bourbon is made from a four-grain mashbill that incorporates winter wheat into the recipe, giving this well-aged whiskey a balanced palate of baking spice, sweet vanilla, oaky char, and stone fruit notes. Give the single barrel expression a try to see how it differs depending on the cask, but the flagship bourbon is a fantastic newcomer onto the ever-growing whiskey scene.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Waco, Texas distillery Balcones has had a busy few years. Diageo acquired it in 2022, adding the outfit to its other American whiskey brands like Bulleit and IW Harper, but fortunately things haven’t seemed to change much as far as production and experimentation. The bourbon is distilled in copper pot stills instead of the usual column still, and aged in casks that are charred and toasted to various levels. The result is a fruity, full-bodied bourbon that is a bit on the young side but still full of flavor, an important addition to Texas bourbon and the category overall.

Chattanooga Whiskey 91 Tennessee High Malt

Chattanooga has been making a big impact on Tennessee whiskey , and the American scene overall, since its founding in 2011. The distillery released its first in-house produced bourbon about six years later, a four-grain whiskey made from a mashbill of corn, malted rye, and three kinds of malted barley that is finished in a solera barrel. The result is a unique bourbon with a strong malted chocolate character on the palate that really stands out from the pack.

Old Grand-Dad 114

Old Grand-Dad is a brand owned by Beam Suntory (now known as Suntory Global Spirits) produced at the home of Jim Beam, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. This is a proudly humble and underrated bourbon made from the same high-rye mashbill as Basil Hayden , but there are many whiskey fans who believe that it’s the superior product. This is why it Old Grand-Dad is still relevant and important–it is still a whiskey to hunt down for those in the know, even as the Basil Hayden brand portfolio has been given shiny new expressions over the past few years. If you can find a bottle of the 114 proof expression, grab it—it far surpasses the regular 80 proof in terms of flavor, and it remains a fairly inexpensive whiskey.

Barrell Armida

Barrell Craft Spirits is a Kentucky whiskey company that is singularly focused on blending, and over the past decade it has proven to be one of the best in the game. This Louisville operation carefully sources barrels from distilleries in states like Indiana, Tennessee, and of course Kentucky, and sometimes gives the whiskey really interesting secondary maturations or cask finishes. Such is the case with Armida, a limited-release blend of bourbon from three different states separately finished in pear brandy, rum, and Sicilian amaro casks—likely a combination you’ve never had before, but one that you should definitely try.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Phifer Pavitt Reserve

Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the best new distilleries in Bardstown, the small enclave at the epicenter of Kentucky bourbon. BBC does it all: sources, contract distills for other brands, and releases its own whiskeys. This whiskey, part of Bardstown’s Collaborative Series, is a 10-year-old sourced Tennessee bourbon that was finished for 18 months in Cabernet barrels from the Phifer Pavitt winery in Napa. The second edition of this collaboration came out in 2021, and is one of the best examples you can find of a wine finish with notes of juicy berry, black pepper, and dried fig in every sip.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2021

Birthday Bourbon is an annual release from Kentucky distillery Old Forester that gets nearly as much attention as Pappy Van Winkle and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and for good reason. The whiskey was first released in 2002 to commemorate Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown’s September 2 birthday. Each release since then varies in terms of age and proof, but the 2021 expression was a standout—a 12-year-old bourbon bottled at 104 proof with notes of cherry, caramel, and peach syrup on that palate that gave it an almost Cognac-like character.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Wild Turkey is best known for its affordable and dependable 101-proof bourbon, a whiskey that should be a staple of any home bar. But the distillery’s barrel-proof Rare Breed expression stands with the best of this category of whiskey that isn’t diluted before bottling. The whiskey launched before the turn of the century, but it has been important over the past 24 years as the barrel-proof market has expanded–Rare Breed is not as high in proof as others like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Booker’s, but that’s a good thing because the Wild Turkey character shines through without blowing out your palate, revealing notes of toasted nuts, dried fruit, and vanilla spice.

Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbon

Pinhook is a whiskey company that names its expressions after racehorses, but that’s not the most interesting thing about it. That honor goes to its Vertical Series, which follows a whiskey as it ages by releasing an annual vintage starting at four years old and eventually culminating in a 12-year-old version. The bourbon in this series was distilled at MGP in Indiana, and it is fascinating to taste the different vintages side by side to see how they compare. The 2024 expression, a nine-year-old bourbon, comes out soon.

Eagle Rare 25

This is the oldest bourbon ever released from Buffalo Trace’s Eagle Rare brand. The secret to its success is that it spent its final five years aging in the distillery’s experimental Warehouse P, where temperature and humidity are carefully controlled. While the palate veers towards the dusty oak end of the spectrum, there’s a nice complexity to this whiskey with notes of menthol, pepper, peanut butter crunch, and a touch of tannic bitterness.

Dickel Bourbon

George Dickel is the second best known Tennessee whiskey brand after the ubiquitous Jack Daniel’s, but Nicole Austin , director of George Dickel and luxury North American whiskey, is doing her best to change that with a range of new expressions that are consistently excellent. One of these is Dickel Bourbon, an eight-year-old whiskey made in the same way as regular Dickel, only with a flavor profile that Austin felt was more befitting of the name bourbon. Sip it or mix it, this is a Tennessee bourbon that should be on your bar cart.

Larceny Bourbon

Heaven Hill is perhaps better known for its other bourbon brands like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig, but over the years the distillery’s wheated bourbon, Larceny, has been getting renewed (and deserved) attention. This whiskey is made with wheat as the flavoring grain in the mashbill instead of rye, and as you might expect it has a sweeter flavor profile. A barrel-proof version joined the lineup a few years ago, but if you haven’t tried the regular 92-proof version it’s not too late to start now.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 16th Edition Double Barreled Blend

This 2022 bourbon was the 16th release in Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection, a series of whiskeys meant to celebrate the legacy of the late master distiller Parker Beam. Each release highlights a different mashbill and maturation method, and this expression was a blend of double-barreled 13-year-old bourbon and 15-year-old bourbon. The former comprises about two-thirds of the blend and makes this whiskey sing with deep notes of char, vanilla, stone fruit, and a smoky wisp on the finish.

Kings County Straight Bourbon

Brooklyn distillery Kings County jumpstarted the whiskey movement in New York City when it opened more than a decade ago, making it the first distillery to legally operate in the Big Apple since Prohibition. The core straight bourbon is made from a mashbill of 80 percent corn and 20 percent malted barley, with no rye in the recipe. It’s aged from three to six years in a variety of barrel sizes, yielding a slightly woody and sweet bourbon that is a favorite of craft connoisseurs and bourbon fans around the country. 

Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon

In 2020, Knob Creek got its nine-year-old age statement back after an absence of a few years, which renewed the importance of this classic bourbon. This was a good thing, because at nearly a decade old this Jim Beam Small Batch Collection expression is a well-aged and good-value bourbon that is always a solid sipper. Knob Creek, a brand that has been around since the early 1990s, is bottled at 100 proof, making it perfect for using in cocktails or sipping on its own. Give this a try in an Old Fashioned or any classic cocktail, you won’t be disappointed.

W.L. Weller 12 Year

This is another Buffalo Trace bourbon that has become increasingly hard to find over the years. That can be blamed on people figuring out that this bourbon’s wheated mashbill is the same as that of Pappy Van Winkle (there are other differences between how the two brands are produced, however), but with wider availability and lower prices. The 12-year-old expression is now a collector’s item, and you’ll usually see it being sold for hundreds of dollars online. But the soft brown sugar sweetness and caramel candy notes that define this whiskey’s palate reveal that there’s actually something behind the hype.

Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond

Heaven Hill’s Bottled-In-Bond bourbon used to be one of the best bangs for your buck—an affordable but high-quality whiskey that those in the know would seek out. The distillery refreshed the liquid a little white back, upping the age to seven years old and giving the bottle and label a complete makeover. Of course, the price went up as well, but that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that this is still a fantastic bourbon that can be sipped on its own or used in any cocktail you can think of.

Blanton's Original Single Barrel

Single-barrel bourbon is pretty common these days, but it wasn’t always that way. Blanton’s is known as the “original single barrel,” and that is indeed the case. In 1984, Elmer T. Lee, master distiller at the George T. Stagg Distillery (now known as Buffalo Trace), launched Blanton’s as the first commercially available single-barrel bourbon. Blanton’s has come a long way since those early days, becoming a bonafide collector’s whiskey over the past quarter century. There are now a few different versions of the bourbon, including Gold, Straight From the Barrel, and the 80-proof international product Blanton’s Special Reserve, but we keep coming back to the original.

New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon

New Riff has made a name for itself by doing one thing really well: releasing high-quality bottled-in-bond whiskey. The distillery actually has some more experimental expressions that are worth trying as well, but the core bourbon (and rye) has always met the BIB requirements—at least four years old, exactly 100 proof, and produced at one distillery—so there’s never been a green, immature batch in the mix. Try this bourbon for yourself and note the ripe berry, brown sugar, and caramel notes that grace every sip.

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

Old Forester, owned by drinks giant Brown-Forman, is a name that is practically synonymous with bourbon. The distillery is known for its inexpensive whiskeys, but it has added many higher-end release to its lineup over the years. One of the standouts is 1920 Prohibition Style, an homage to the period when Old Forester was making whiskey under a medicinal license. This is a strong bourbon at 115 proof, but the classic Old Forester character shines through with a burst of maple syrup, cinnamon spice, and s’mores on the palate.

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon

Russell’s Reserve is the small batch brand extension from Kentucky’s Wild Turkey distillery. The whiskey really stands out for its high quality, not to mention the affordability of its core 10-year-old bourbon. But a few years ago, Russell’s released an older 13-year-old expression that immediately became a cult whiskey hit, and for good reason. These days, this hard-to-find bourbon commands high prices on the secondary market, but the rich chocolate, nut, caramel, and leather notes make it well worth the expense.

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year

What more is there to say about Pappy ? This cult bourbon exploded in popularity more than a decade ago and its age statement expressions, ranging from 10 to 23 years old, sell for thousands of dollars on the secondary market. The fact is that this wheated bourbon, which is made by the Van Winkle family in partnership with Buffalo Trace, is very good, particularly the younger expressions (it tends to veer towards the tannic side over 20 years, as any bourbon would). The 15-year-old stands out, teetering on the edge of becoming overly oaky but pulling back just in time with rich notes of leather, tobacco, vanilla, and brown sugar.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve distillery, which opened in the 1990s, really helped to jumpstart the premium bourbon category. For years, master distiller Chris Morris was in charge of making this whiskey meet all the elements of his flavor wheel, with notes of vanilla, citrus, spice, and brown sugar coating the palate. Elizabeth McCall now helms the operation and the bourbon remains a favorite of many whiskey fans, with a complexity that calls for sipping neat and a proof that’s high enough to work in cocktails. The Double Oaked expression arrived in 2012, at a time when finishing a bourbon in a secondary batch of new charred oak barrels was unusual. But the extra burst of flavor it gives this whiskey was a great success, and paved the way for others.

E.H. Taylor Small Batch

This bourbon was named after the man who was behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of of 1897, so of course it follows those strict regulations—the whiskey is at least four years old, bottled at 100 proof, and the product of one distillery and one distillation season. While “small batch” has no real meaning, presumably E.H. Taylor is produced in smaller volumes than other Buffalo Trace bourbons. The bottom line is that this has become a highly coveted whiskey since it was first released more than a decade ago due to its rich flavor and balance of spice and sweetness.

Michter’s 25

Michter’s core lineup of bourbon, rye, and American whiskey is excellent, but some of the older age statement expressions from this Kentucky distillery really stand out—not usually the case in the American whiskey category, which can become overly oaky as it matures. Michter’s 25-year-old bourbon is selected from carefully sourced barrels that truly show how a bourbon this old can still be complex, nuanced, and not overly tannic. This is a very expensive bottle, but one that is worth tasting at some point in your whiskey journey if you have the chance.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

The past few years have seen some notable additions to the Maker’s Mark lineup, including various wood stave finishes and the phenomenal Cellar Aged, which is the oldest bourbon to date released by the distillery. But the Cask Strength version is the best expression to join the Maker’s family, a high-ABV but not high-octane version of the core wheated bourbon. It’s sweet but not cloying, smooth but never boring, and drinks exactly the way you want a classic barrel-proof bourbon to.

Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

Bulleit has been making whiskey at its Kentucky distillery for a few years now, but the Diageo-owned brand has yet to release any of its own juice. In the meantime, Bulleit continues to source its Kentucky bourbon, made using a high-rye mashbill, from other distilleries. This bourbon is popular for a reason—at 90 proof there’s some kick and heft to the palate, but it’s still an easy drinker with a nice balance of sweetness and black pepper spice. The 10-year-old expression was first released in 2013, a welcome brand extension that ups the notes of oak, fruit, and caramel, and is very reasonably priced compared to some other whiskeys this old.

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea

There are a lot of bourbons to choose from the Jefferson’s lineup, but probably the most notable and unique expression is Ocean Aged at Sea. Some people call it a gimmick, but this whiskey travels the world on a container ship while maturing in barrels where it is subjected to different temperatures and humidity along the way that accelerate the interaction between wood and whiskey. The result of this extended maritime journey is a deeply flavorful bourbon with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and dark roasted coffee.

George T. Stagg 2023

George T. Stagg is a member of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection , a series of whiskeys released once a year that become instant collector’s items. The last release of this barrel-proof, uncut, and unfiltered bourbon was an assertive 135 proof, which is approaching hazmat whiskey levels. This 15-year-old bourbon was somehow still very drinkable, although a little bit of water or a large ice cube is a good way to go while still revealing deep notes of oak, spice, vanilla, and dark stone fruit. 

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage

Eddie Russell, the son of the legendary Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell, is the man responsible for the Master’s Keep series from Wild Turkey. The younger Russell experiments with the whiskey in ways his father wouldn’t be interested in—case in point is this 10-year-old bourbon finished in rum casks sourced from Appleton Estate. This is one of the best cask-finished bourbons of the 21st century, an artful blend of complementary flavors that stands with the best.

Angel's Envy Port Finish

Nearly every bourbon brand has a cask-finished expression in its lineup these days, meaning a whiskey that spent time in another barrel after initially being aged in new charred oak. Angel’s Envy was at the forefront of this trend in American whiskey—every bottle of the Downtown Louisville distillery’s bourbon gets a secondary maturation of up to six months in port casks imported from Portugal. That gives this bourbon rich notes of dark berries and dried fruit, along with a sprinkling of baking spices to round out the palate.

Four Roses Single Barrel

Four Roses has a long whiskey history, but it wasn’t until 2002 that the distillery renewed its focus on making high-quality Kentucky straight bourbon for the U.S. market. Ten different bourbons using two mash bills and five different yeast strains are made at the distillery. The core bourbon combines all of these recipes, but you can also buy a single barrel expression that features just one. This whiskey is aged for seven to nine years and bottled at 100 proof, and while the flavor changes depending which barrel it comes from, it is a consistently delicious whiskey that is one of the best single barrel expressions you can find.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Heaven Hill’s barrel-proof version of its core Elijah Craig bourbon, which was first released in 2013, comes out in three batches per year, each one differing in proof and age. This is consistently one of the best barrel-proof bourbons that you can find, with the ABV ranging somewhere between 60 and 65 percent. Sip this whiskey neat, over some ice, or even use it in a cocktail—Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is surprisingly versatile despite its strength.

Booker's 30th Anniversary Bourbon

Booker’s is the original barrel-proof expression in the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection created by the late legendary master distiller Booker Noe . It comes out four times per year, with each release varying in proof and age and a different backstory and name, but it usually clocks in around six to seven years old and between 120 and 130 proof. The special 30th Anniversary Bourbon came out in 2018, and became an instant collector’s item. This is Booker’s for the hardcore Booker’s fans—a blend of nine and 16-year-old whiskey at 125.8 proof that is full of caramel, spice, heat, and funky wood notes.

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