🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof
The stronger permanent Old Forester: a Kentucky straight bourbon at 50% ABV (100 proof), with no age statement.
Old Forester 100 Proof is the stronger permanent version of the Old Forester brand. It is a Kentucky straight bourbon at 50% ABV. It was previously sold as Signature 100 Proof, and the signature of founder George Garvin Brown appears on every bottle. No age is stated. According to the brand's chronicle, the 100 proof strength appeared in 1897.
According to Scotch Noob, the mash bill is the same as for 86 Proof: 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. The bourbon matures in new charred barrels of American white oak. The producer says the barrels for this version are selected by hand. Despite the 100 proof, this is not Bottled in Bond: there are no requirements here for the distilling season or the age.
Why this matters to you. Compare it with Old Forester 86 Proof: the base is the same, and the difference is strength. Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is also 50% ABV but meets stricter rules. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 50% ABV (100 proof) |
|---|---|
| Raw material | corn 72%, rye 18%, malted barley 10% |
| Cask type | new charred barrels of American white oak |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement; straight bourbon from 2 years |
| Year founded | 100 proof strength in the brand since 1897 (brand chronicle) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey, for the EU market |
| Legal basis | 27 CFR § 5.143 (USA): bourbon - at least 51% corn, new charred oak barrels; straight - at least 2 years |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Barrel toasting, 🐝 American white oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Old Forester, 🥃 Bourbon whiskey, 🥃 Straight bourbon whiskey
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Old Forester Rye, 🥃 Old Forester Rye, 🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, 🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Frequently asked questions
Is Old Forester 100 Proof a Bottled in Bond?
No. The strength is the same, 50% ABV, but according to Scotch Noob this version does not have Bottled in Bond status. That is Old Forester 1897.
What is the strength of Old Forester 100 Proof?
50% ABV (100 proof).
Does the 100 Proof carry an age statement?
No, no age is stated. As a straight bourbon it matures for at least 2 years in new charred oak barrels.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky — Grain in the name of American whiskey: bourbon is at least 51% corn, rye at least 51% rye, corn whiskey at least 80% corn.
- 🍷 Barrel toasting — Heating the inside of a barrel over fire; the degree of toast shapes the wine's taste.
- 🥃 Old Forester Rye — Rye whiskey from Old Forester: a Kentucky straight rye with a mash of 65% rye, 50% ABV (100 proof), since 2019.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond · 🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch · 🥃 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style · 🥃 Old Forester Rye · 🥃 Jim Beam Devil's Cut
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Old Forester (official): Old Forester 100 Proof — bottled at 100 proof, handpicked from select barrels; Louisville, Kentucky
- Scotch Noob: Old Forester Signature 100 Proof Bourbon (16.12.2019; 50 %; 72/18/10 corn/rye/malted barley; new charred American oak; not bottled in bond)
- Old Forester: Legacy Timeline (1870 George Garvin Brown; 1897 100 proof; 1920 Prohibition permit; 1959 86 proof)
- 27 CFR § 5.143 Standards of identity for whisky (bourbon/rye: min. 51 % corn/rye, new charred oak containers; straight: min. 2 years), text via Cornell LII
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)