In 1870, George Garvin Brown sealed Old Forester in glass, guaranteeing its quality and setting a new standard for American whiskey. Five summers later, the first Kentucky Derby was run in Louisville, marking the beginning of another enduring Kentucky tradition.

5 Summers Old celebrates both legacies of craftsmanship and celebration through the familiar comfort of Derby Pie flavors: chocolate, toasted nut, and Madeira sweetness, all wrapped in a whisper of smoke.

The glass carries the memory of oak and fire, its gentle smoke recalling the barrel char that shapes every drop of bourbon and the Whiskey Row fires that nearly destroyed Old Forester’s home in 1900.

Macadamia and chocolate lend a silky, dessert-like body, while Madeira adds a bright, oxidative lift, paying homage to a classic pairing once served alongside Derby Pie at Kentucky tables.

Every sip blends heritage, flavor, and Kentucky quality, just as Brown promised.

Nose | Oak smoke recalls Whiskey Row’s barrel fires, opening to warm notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted nut that speak to Kentucky tradition.

Palate | Bourbon spice leads, joined by silky layers of macadamia and dark chocolate inspired by classic Derby Pie. The Madeira adds a subtle sweet lift, keeping the balance refined.

Finish | Long and smooth, fading into chocolate with a soft spice, and a final wisp of oak smoke that honors Old Forester’s resilience.

Ingredients:

2 oz Old Forester 100 proof

0.5 oz Madeira

0.25 oz Macadamia Nut Liqueur

0.25 oz Crème de Cacao

2 dashes Chocolate Walnut Bitters

1 drop 20 % saline solution

1 pinch oak chips (optional)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.

Fill a rocks glass with ice and trap the oak smoke inside (optional).

Add ice to the mixing glass, and stir for 30 seconds until well chilled and diluted.

Pour the cocktail into the smoked rocks glass, garnish, and serve.