During the late 19th century, an overwhelming number of distilleries throughout the United States were still not aging their whiskey. As a result, some retailers would add juices and syrups to sweeten the whiskey, while others would add acid and tobacco to give their whiskey its signature, amber hue.In 1870, George Garvin Brown — a young pharmaceuticals salesman from Kentucky — saw the need for a consistently high-quality whiskey that would remain unadulterated after distillation.

After saving $5,500, Brown and his brother opened the doors to J.T.S. Brown & Bro. Distillery and began distilling bourbon. Unlike other distilleries at the time, Brown aged his bourbon, which was named Old Forester, in oak casks and bottled it in a sealed glass bottle to ensure authenticity and quality.

Since its introduction in 1870, Old Forester has been on the market continuously, even during Prohibition, when it continued to be sold for medicinal purposes. It is the only bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by the founding family before, during and after Prohibition.

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon touts itself as the first bourbon ever bottled. The bourbon is made from a mash of corn, rye and malted barley — after the grains have been milled and mashed, they are fermented for five to seven days with a proprietary yeast strain that is grown fresh daily at the distillery.

This extra-long fermentation process ensures that the bourbon has an unparalleled depth and complexity. Following fermentation, the grains are twice distilled before being matured in new, American oak casks.

Old Forester Mint Julep is a ready-to-drink cocktail made with Old Forester, mint, sugar and water, as well as other ingredients. Old Forester Mint Julep — which comes in a one-liter bottle — was the official drink of the 141st Kentucky Derby, and was served to patrons of Churchill Downs who came to watch American Pharoah win the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Although Old Forester was established in 1860 and the Kentucky Derby in 1865, this collaboration represents the first time the two legendary organizations have officially partnered, and the result is an outstanding, convenient take on Kentucky’s most famous cocktail.

Pick up a bottle (or two) today!