Old Forester is Louisville’s Bourbon. Sure, there are plenty of other brands that have historical roots in Louisville, but Old Forester is the only one that is distilled, aged, and bottled right here in the city since before Prohibition. Now they are building an urban distillery right on Whiskey Row in the same spot that housed their corporate headquarters decades ago, reinvigorating Louisville’s relationship with the bourbon business.

A few weeks ago The Whiskey Chicks hosted the Old Forester brand team for an event called Old Forester: Past, Present, and Future. Brand President and George Garvin Brown descendant Campbell Brown spoke about the history of the brand as well as plans for the new state-of-the-art distillery. Then Brand Ambassador Jackie Zykan taught the crowd the proper way to make, drink, and hold a Mint Julep, just in time for Derby entertaining.

Indeed, the future looks bright for Old Forester. The new distillery will contain a working distillery, a working cooperage, a rick house, and a bottling facility. The experience will be geared toward visitors, giving them an opportunity to experience fermentation through bottling under one roof.

The next Whisky Chicks event will be held May 19 from 5-8 p.m. at Kentucky Peerless Distillery. Tickets are $20 and guests will have the opportunity to enjoy cocktails and learn more about the history of this generations-old distilling family. Click here to learn more about the Lucky Happy Hour at Kentucky Peerless.

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl