Old Forester Statesman released for Kingsman

Brown-Forman has announced a collaboration between its Old Forester Statesman bourbon and the upcoming film, Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Due to release on 22 September 2017, the film is a sequel to the 2014 instalment.

Brown-Forman claims this is the first of its kind in partnership and product integration, Old Forester’s involvement goes beyond product placement, with the brand playing an integral role in the film. The Statesman agents are based in Louisville, Kentucky at a distillery with several of them also acting as master distillers.

To coincide with the release of the film, Old Forester will introduce Old Forester Statesman, which will be on sale from September nationwide, retailing at £45. This whisky will be sourced from hand-selected barrels matured in the warmest temperature locations of the Old Forester warehouse, creating a complex bourbon with a rich and deep flavour profile.

Old Forester claims to be the only bourbon that has been made by the same family company pre, post and during Prohibition, making it the natural choice for a film that required a brand steeped in history. The Kentucky straight bourbon whisky was first created by George Garvin Brown in 1870 in Louisville.

Brown was a pharmacist, and recognised an early need for a reliably high-quality whisky, which is why he sold it in sealed glass bottles to ensure its quality – making it the first bottled bourbon in the US. The bottle still bears a handwritten guarantee from him.

Campbell Brown, president of Old Forester says: “Old Forester is a brand with a great story to tell, and has a real role to play in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Old Forester Statesman, the bourbon we’ve created for the film is a balanced whisky at 95 proof – it’s unbelievably smooth, with a long finish and we’re looking forward to bringing it to the UK later this year.”

Matthew Vaughn, director, Kingsman says: “When choosing partners for the Kingsman brand I look for excellence, integrity and taste. Old Forester is my first partner who takes the taste requirement to the next level".

7 May 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor