🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
The first version of the Whiskey Row series: a blend of barrels from three warehouses, different production days and ages; 45% ABV (90 proof).
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is the first version of the Whiskey Row series of the Old Forester brand. It recalls how founder George Garvin Brown blended whiskey from three distilleries in 1870. According to Breaking Bourbon, the strength is 90 proof, which is 45% ABV. There is no age statement.
The producer takes barrels from three warehouses. Each batch comes from a different production day and has a different entry proof and age. The three parts are blended and only lightly filtered. According to Breaking Bourbon, the mash bill is standard for the brand: 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. The release came out in February 2015; the first batch was 36 barrels.
Why this matters to you. Compared with Old Forester 86 Proof, it is slightly stronger and drawn from different warehouses. The next release in the series is Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond, which is stronger still. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 45% ABV (90 proof), according to Breaking Bourbon |
|---|---|
| Raw material | corn 72%, rye 18%, malted barley 10% |
| Cask type | new charred oak barrels from three warehouses |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement; straight bourbon from 2 years |
| Year founded | February 2015 (Whiskey Row series) |
| 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 1870 Original Batch → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Barrel toasting
- 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 100 Proof, 🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof, 🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond, 🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond
Frequently asked questions
Is 1870 Original Batch blended from whiskey of three distilleries?
No. That is what the founder did in 1870. Today the barrels come from three warehouses of one brand, from different production days.
What is the strength of 1870 Original Batch?
According to Breaking Bourbon, 90 proof, which is 45% ABV.
When did 1870 Original Batch appear?
According to Breaking Bourbon, in February 2015, as the first version of the Whiskey Row series.
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 100 Proof — The stronger permanent Old Forester: a Kentucky straight bourbon at 50% ABV (100 proof), with no age statement.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style · 🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond · 🥃 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): 1870 Original Batch — barrels from three warehouses, different production days, entry proofs and age profiles; minimally filtered
- Breaking Bourbon: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Bourbon Review (90 proof; 72/18/10; three warehouses, three production days; first batch 36 barrels; released February 2015)
- 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)