Overview
Old Forester Distillery in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, is Brown-Forman’s Whiskey Row destination for the Old Forester brand. The site gives visitors a concentrated look at fermentation, distillation, barrel making, maturation, bottling, and tasting in the heart of Louisville’s historic whiskey district.
Old Forester is marketed as America’s first bottled bourbon, tied to George Garvin Brown’s 1870 promise of quality and consistency. The modern distillery reconnects the brand with Louisville, where Brown-Forman’s history began.
History
Old Forester was founded by George Garvin Brown in 1870. Brown’s innovation was selling bourbon in sealed glass bottles, which helped assure customers of consistent quality at a time when whiskey was often sold by the barrel or refilled container.
The modern Old Forester Distillery opened on Whiskey Row as a visitor-facing distilling and brand home. It is not simply a museum; the site includes working production elements and educational experiences that bring the brand’s history into the present.
Ownership and Operations
Old Forester is owned by Brown-Forman Corporation, the Louisville-based spirits company also behind Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s. The distillery on Main Street is part of the brand’s public identity and education program, while Brown-Forman’s broader production system supports Old Forester whiskey at scale.
The Old Forester portfolio includes bourbon, rye, single barrel selections, Birthday Bourbon, 1920 Prohibition Style, 1910 Old Fine Whisky, and other Whiskey Row Series expressions.
Brands Produced
Major Old Forester expressions include Old Forester 86 Proof, Old Forester 100 Proof, Old Forester Rye, Old Forester Statesman, Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond, Old Forester 1910, Old Forester 1920, Old Forester Single Barrel, and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon.
Visitor Experience
Old Forester offers tours and tastings at its Louisville Main Street location. Official tour descriptions highlight fermentation, distillation, barrel making, maturation, bottling, and tasting. The site also includes retail and George’s Bar. Reservations are recommended.
Why This Distillery Matters
Old Forester Distillery matters because it connects one of bourbon’s foundational brands with the modern Whiskey Row revival. It is especially useful for visitors who want to understand how bottling, consistency, brand trust, and Louisville commerce shaped bourbon history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Old Forester Distillery located?
It is located on Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky.
Who owns Old Forester?
Old Forester is owned by Brown-Forman Corporation.
Who founded Old Forester?
George Garvin Brown founded Old Forester in 1870.
Does Old Forester offer tours?
Yes. Public tours and tasting experiences are offered at the Louisville distillery.