The Oldest Names in Bourbon: Separating History From Myth
Every bourbon drinker has heard the claims.
“Est. 1780.”
“Since 1810.”
“America’s oldest continuously produced bourbon.”
Walk down any Kentucky rickhouse and you’ll see age-old names proudly stamped on barrels, labels, and entry gates—some genuine, some embellished, and others hanging somewhere between fact and legend. Bourbon history is part truth, part myth, and part exceptionally good storytelling. That’s what makes it so compelling.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours touring historic distilleries, sipping through their libraries, and digging into the stories behind the names we still see today. A few brands genuinely stretch deep into the 19th century, while others have reinvented themselves after decades of dormancy. What follows isn’t just a list—it’s the real history behind some of bourbon’s longest-running brand names, and how they’ve survived everything from Prohibition to corporate consolidation.
Old Forester – 1870 and Still Going
If you’re looking for a brand with a clean, well-documented origin story, Old Forester stands tall. George Garvin Brown introduced it in 1870 as the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles. No barrels rolling into pharmacy basements. No middleman tampering. Brown promised a consistent, trustworthy product, and that commitment carried Old Forester straight through Prohibition with a coveted medicinal license.
Some brands claim longer lineage, but Old Forester delivers the receipts—making it one of the oldest continuously sold bourbon names in America.
Early Times – A Pre–Civil War Classic
Founded in 1860, Early Times is one of those names that seems to have been around forever. Jack Beam’s original distillery pushed out whiskey that became hugely popular after the Civil War. Like many of the oldest bourbons, ownership later shifted, but the name endured.
Today, Early Times is enjoying a quiet renaissance. But that original 1860 heritage? That part is undisputed.
Old Crow – The Legend of Dr. James C. Crow
Few bourbon names are wrapped in as much legend as Old Crow. Tied to Dr. James C. Crow’s 19th-century distilling methods, the brand soared in popularity before and after the Civil War. Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, and Henry Clay supposedly favored it.
But here’s the myth vs. reality moment:
Old Crow as a brand wasn’t formally trademarked until decades after Crow’s death. It was built on his reputation—then commercialized. Still, the name has survived nearly 150 years, making it one of the oldest bourbon labels still sold today.
The Pepper Legacy – America’s First Whiskey Dynasty
The Pepper family claims a distilling heritage going back to 1780. And while the exact dates drift into folklore, there’s no denying that Old Pepper and James E. Pepper are among the oldest recurring whiskey names in American history.
Here’s the truth:
The Pepper brand rose to prominence in the early 19th century, became a national staple, went dark during the mid-20th century, and returned only recently. So, while bottles labeled “1776” look great on a shelf, the brand we know today is a revival built on a very real—but far from uninterrupted—legacy.
This is where bourbon history becomes part archaeology, part detective work.
Old Grand-Dad – Basil Hayden’s Namesake Lives On
Introduced in 1882, Old Grand-Dad remains a model of longevity. Raymond Hayden named the whiskey after his grandfather, Basil Hayden Sr., and that family connection helped the brand survive ownership changes and Prohibition’s medicinal era. Through all of that, the name has never disappeared.
No marketing embellishment needed—Old Grand-Dad has earned its place through pure staying power.
Old Overholt – Not a Bourbon, But a Pillar of American Whiskey
Technically a rye, Old Overholt is the oldest continuously maintained American whiskey brand, founded in 1810. You can’t discuss long-lived bourbon names without acknowledging their place in the wider family.
Myth vs reality?
Its distilling location, ownership, and mash bill have changed many times.
Its name remains one of the oldest on any bottle in the whiskey aisle. If you want to know more about the oldest whiskey in America, watch my video HERE.
I.W. Harper – A 19th Century Brand with a Global Life
Launched in 1872 by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, I.W. Harper grew into one of the most recognized American whiskey brands worldwide—especially in Japan, where demand kept it alive during quieter years back home.
The brand never claimed ancient origins, just solid history and quality. And that honesty may be why it continues to earn respect today.
Old Taylor – 1887 and the Beginning of “Bourbon Tourism”
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. didn’t just build a brand—he built an experience. His 1887 Old Taylor Distillery became the first true “destination distillery,” complete with gardens, castle-like architecture, and guided tours. Modern bourbon tourism owes him everything.
As for the name?
It lived through Prohibition, corporate reshuffling, and eventual fragmentation. Buffalo Trace revived E.H. Taylor as a premium line, but the Old Taylor name still echoes back to the Colonel’s original vision from the 1800s.
Myth vs Reality: The Truth Behind Longstanding Bourbon Names
Many bourbon labels proudly reference founding dates stretching into the 1700s. Some are justified; others lean heavily on family lore or reconstructed histories. And a few were resurrected after sitting dormant for decades.
Here’s the reality:
- Very few brands have been truly “continuous” since their founding.
- Ownership changes often blur the lines of authenticity.
- A revived brand can still honor real history—even if the timeline isn’t uninterrupted.
- The name is often older than the facilities, recipes, or distillers behind it.
In bourbon, the story is part of the product. And sometimes, the story is even better than the truth.
The Oldest Names in Bourbon and Why These Names Still Matter
When you walk through a rickhouse and see a stencil like “Old Forester,” “Old Grand-Dad,” or “James E. Pepper,” you’re looking at more than branding. You’re seeing the fingerprints of centuries of distillers, farmers, and risk-takers who shaped American whiskey long before bourbon had its modern boom.
These old names connect today’s bottle hunters, collectors, and casual sippers to a time when Kentucky roads were dirt, barrels floated down the Ohio River, and whiskey was more sustenance than luxury.
History may become blurry, and marketing may stretch the facts, but these names endure because bourbon lovers still respond to authenticity—whether real or reconstructed.
From the author
For years, I’ve explored the backroads, distilleries, rickhouses, and forgotten histories that make Kentucky bourbon unforgettable. Through Bourbonfool.com, I share the stories behind the bottles—both legendary and overlooked—to help bourbon lovers discover the heritage, character, and craftsmanship that define America’s native spirit. Please comment below if you enjoy the history of our native spirit.