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Old Forester Distillery has been a part of Whiskey Row on Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky since its early days in the late 1800s. When Prohibition hit, like every other distillery, Old Forester abandoned Main Street. Nearly a century later, the brand returned to Whiskey Row on National Bourbon Day 2018 with the grand opening of its new fully operational distillery at 119 W. Main Street, that same location it once operated out of prior to Prohibition.
5th (Wood) Anniversary and Surprise Bottle Drops – Can You Say Birthday Bourbon?
On National Bourbon Day 2023, Old Forester celebrated its 5th anniversary return to Whiskey Row. To share in the celebration Old Forester is inviting bourbon fans to visit the distillery for some very nice surprises during June. At random times, on random days, Old Forester will be releasing distillery only bottles of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Old Forester 117 Series and Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon.
“To celebrate our 5th Anniversary, we have lots of surprises planned here at Old Forester,” said Old Forester Distillery Homeplace Manager Emily Sledge. “This includes special bottle drops of our most coveted bourbons. This includes 117 Series, Birthday Bourbon, and President’s Choice at random times on random days.”
In the five years since the distillery’s opening Old Forester has doubled its business nationwide as bourbon aficionados discover and rediscover the brand – the only bourbon to exist before, during, and after Prohibition.
The distillery has served as a top tourist attraction in Louisville with more than 400,000 visitors since its opening including more than 126,000 visitors last year alone. Visitors get to explore fermentation, distillation, maturation, and bottling process experiences as well as its one-of-a-kind barrel making facility – the only major distiller to own and operate an onsite cooperage. If you are lucky, you’ll get to hit the button that actually lights the fire to char the barrels. This isn’t a movie set, these are real barrels with real fire and charring making real Old Forester whiskey barrels.
“Old Forester is 153 years old, but we are always innovating and looking to the future,” said Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift. “Old Forester never gets old.”
To celebrate the anniversary, Old Forester donated $12,000 to the Center for Women and Families, a Louisville non-profit that helps women and families in crisis by providing housing, support and safety from domestic violence. The proceeds are a result of the inaugural Old Forester Sleepeasy immersive experience on Main Street.
Located in the heart of the historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, the distillery pays homage to Old Forester’s roots as the first-ever bottled bourbon since its founding in 1870. Tours are available at the Main Street location for either a general tour or VIP guided tour and tasting.
For more than 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee RTDs, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Sonoma-Cutrer, Finlandia, Chambord, Fords Gin, and Gin Mare. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 5,200 employees globally and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide.
Learn more about Old Forester Distillery.
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2018 Photo of the Brown Family at the Old Forester Distillery Grand Opening
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