🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond
The second version of the Whiskey Row series: a bourbon under Bottled in Bond rules, one season and one distillery, at least 4 years, 50% ABV.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is the second version of the Whiskey Row series of the Old Forester brand. The name honours the US federal Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. The strength is 100 proof, which is 50% ABV. The label gives no exact age, but under the law it is at least 4 years.
The Bottled in Bond rules are strict. All the whiskey in the bottle must be distilled in one season, by one producer, at one distillery. It then matures for at least 4 years in a bonded warehouse under government supervision, and it is bottled at exactly 50% ABV. According to Breaking Bourbon, the mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. The release came out in September 2015.
Why this matters to you. Old Forester 100 Proof has the same strength but without these guarantees. For comparison outside the brand, George Dickel Bottled in Bond is a suitable example. 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 oak barrels |
| Minimum maturation | at least 4 years (Bottled in Bond) |
| Year founded | September 2015 (Whiskey Row series) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey, for the EU market |
| Legal basis | 27 CFR § 5.88 (Bottled in Bond); 27 CFR § 5.143 (bourbon) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond → 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
- 🥃 George Dickel Bottled in Bond, 🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, 🥃 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, 🥃 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style, 🥃 Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style, 🥃 Bottled in Bond
Frequently asked questions
Is Bottled in Bond just the name of a series?
No. It is a legal status in the USA: one distilling season, one distillery, at least 4 years in wood and exactly 50% ABV.
How old is Old Forester 1897?
No age is stated, but under the Bottled in Bond rules it is at least 4 years.
How does 1897 differ from 100 Proof?
The strength is the same, 50% ABV, but 1897 meets the Bottled in Bond requirements for season, distillery and age.
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 1920 Prohibition Style — The third version of the Whiskey Row series: a bourbon in the style of the Prohibition era, 57.5% ABV (115 proof).
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Forester 100 Proof · 🥃 Old Forester 86 Proof · 🥃 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): 1897 Bottled in Bond — one distillation season, one distiller, one distillery; min. 4 years in a bonded warehouse; 100 proof
- Breaking Bourbon: Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review (100 proof; 72/18/10; second release of the Whiskey Row Series; released September 2015)
- 27 CFR § 5.88 Bottled in bond (same distilling season, same distiller, same distillery; min. 4 years in wood; bottled at 100 proof), text via Cornell LII
- 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)