{"product_id":"old-forester-150th-anniversary-batch-proof-02-03","title":"Old Forester 150th Anniversary Batch Proof 02\/03","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e126.4 proof. The second of three batch proof releases commemorating Old Forester's 150th anniversary — America's first commercially bottled bourbon marks a century and a half.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOld Forester was founded by George Garvin Brown in 1870 — making it America's first commercially bottled bourbon. Brown's original insight was simple and revolutionary: seal bourbon in a glass bottle with a signature rather than selling it from open barrels, guaranteeing what the customer received was exactly what the distillery produced. That decision established the standard for the modern American spirits industry.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eTo mark 150 years of that legacy, Old Forester released three limited batch proof expressions — each a unique selection of 12-year-old barrels bottled at cask strength with no proofing. Batch 02\/03 was bottled at 126.4 proof, placing it between the three batches in intensity. As with all Old Forester batch proof releases, the specific barrel selection and proof make this an unrepeatable expression of the distillery at this milestone moment.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich amber with warm golden tones.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and warm baking spice — the bold proof amplifies the complexity of the 12-year aging.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full-bodied and layered — dark caramel, dried fruit, rye spice, and a powerful oak integration from 12 years at cask strength delivery.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming — spice and oak fading into a clean, satisfying close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eThe Three Anniversary Batches\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBatch 01\/03:\u003c\/strong\u003e First batch proof expression of the anniversary series\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBatch 02\/03:\u003c\/strong\u003e 126.4 proof — mid-series expression\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBatch 03\/03:\u003c\/strong\u003e 126.8 proof — final anniversary batch\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 126.4 (63.2% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150th Anniversary Limited Edition, Batch 02\/03\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/old-forester\"\u003eOld Forester collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Old Forester called America's first bottled bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e George Garvin Brown began selling bourbon sealed in glass bottles with his signature in 1870 — guaranteeing the contents against adulteration, which was rampant in open-barrel sales of the era. Old Forester is recognized as the first bourbon to be consistently sold in this form, establishing the standard the industry now takes for granted.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow do the three anniversary batches differ?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each batch was a different barrel selection bottled at its natural cask strength. Batch 02\/03 at 126.4 proof and Batch 03\/03 at 126.8 proof are the two in-stock versions; the small proof differences reflect the specific barrels selected for each batch. The barrel compositions are different, making each an unrepeatable expression.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same as the Birthday Bourbon series?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — Birthday Bourbon is released annually on September 2nd from 12-year-old barrels selected by the master distiller. The 150th Anniversary Batch Proof is a specific commemorative release marking the 150-year milestone. Both are limited; the Anniversary is a one-time series.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 150th Anniversary Batch 02\/03 still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In limited quantities. These were produced in limited supply as a one-time commemorative series and are not restocked once sold.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why is Old Forester called America's first bottled bourbon?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"George Garvin Brown began selling bourbon sealed in glass bottles with his signature in 1870, guaranteeing the contents against adulteration. Old Forester is recognized as the first bourbon consistently sold this way.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do the three anniversary batches differ?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Each batch was a different barrel selection at its natural cask strength. Batch 02\/03 is 126.4 proof; Batch 03\/03 is 126.8 proof. The small proof differences reflect the specific barrels selected.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this the same as the Birthday Bourbon series?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No \\u2014 Birthday Bourbon is an annual release on September 2nd. The 150th Anniversary Batch Proof is a one-time commemorative series marking the 150-year milestone.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the 150th Anniversary Batch 02\/03 still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"In limited quantities. These were produced as a one-time commemorative series and are not restocked once sold.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49132292538620,"sku":"2-081128002619","price":655.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/OldForester150thAnniversaryBatchProof02_03.png?v=1779708117","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/old-forester-150th-anniversary-batch-proof-02-03","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}