A Louisville Classic :: Old Forester Distillery

Kentucky is almost synonymous with bourbon. So, it’s only fitting that Louisville is undergoing a bourbon trail revival (culturally and physically). Many of the buildings in Louisville’s downtown have been sitting vacant for a number of years. Now, you’ll see cranes and constructions signs on every other street - AKA: tell tale signs of revival!

Old Forester Distillery used to house their offices in a downtown building, until a fire burned it down (the charred barrels later inspired a new flavor of “Very Fine Whiskey”). This past fall, they re-opened their doors after a full remodel to entice customers who look to learn more about the distilling process (and, of course, taste some spirits). Now, I didn’t grow up in a bourbon loving family. However, these past few years, I’ve been adopted by a Kentucky family and they have introduced me to the art of drinking bourbon. And, it is an ART.

Our group decided to book an impromptu tour of Old Forester’s new downtown distillery (housed on “Whiskey Row”), quickly hustled downtown, and were promptly greeted by our tour guide (who was FANTASTIC - a master of tying together history and science with a touch of humor). The tour itself lasted about an hour and ended with a tasting (WHOOP). We started with some Old Forester history, learned about the distilling process, tasted white dog (not for the faint of heart), peeked into the barrel room (used specifically for aging special batch bourbons in a temperature controlled environment), and learned some great fun facts along the way!

FUN FACTS

1. Most bourbons are crafted by (essentially) the same formula. What is crucial to the distilling process is the water. And since Louisville has access to some of the purest water in the area, it makes for a perfect place to brew bourbon.

2. Old Forester was one of 10 distilleries allowed to produce bourbon during Prohibition. WHAT. The government granted a select few permits for distilleries to continue producing “medicinal whiskey”. This fact is one of my favorites!

3. Bourbon (before the 1920s) had no sort of health regulations for production/distribution, so distilleries would sell all sorts of stuff labeled “bourbon” that wasn’t actually bourbon (think brown water). It caused all sorts of health issues. Old Forester, however, would seal their bourbon in GLASS BOTTLES (one of the first distilleries to do so), to assure customers that their brew was pure. Which gave them their tagline “First Bottled Bourbon.”

4. Bourbon was considered a medicine in the early 1900s, and you could get a prescription from your doctor for a small “dose.”. Hence, why the government let a select few distilleries brew their bourbon during prohibition. (*cough, cough…I’m sick*).

5. Old Forester and Brown-Forman purchased a barrel manufacturing plant, streamlining their distilling process, allowing them to char their barrels to control the flavor of the bourbon.

6. Over 50% of the flavor and 100% of color of the bourbon comes from the barrel.

7. Old Forester produces commemorative bourbon bottles, sometimes in tune with world events (like The Space Race / launching of Sputnik). See photos, below!

The tour itself was interactive and educational - I felt like I had EARNED my bourbon tasting. Louisville bourbon is truly an American classic - something to add to your bucket list!