Which bourbon was the first to be exclusively sold by the bottle in 1870?

Old Forester is recognized as the first bourbon to be exclusively sold by the bottle in 1870. This significant milestone in the bourbon industry marked a shift from the then-common practice of selling spirits in bulk without quality assurance regarding the product. Old Forester was established by George Garvin Brown in Louisville, Kentucky, and his commitment to providing a consistent, high-quality product in a bottle aimed to offer a more reliable option for consumers. This approach not only built trust with customers but also set a precedent for how spirits, particularly bourbon, would be sold in the future, leading to a more standardized market.

The other bourbons listed did not have the same historical significance regarding bottled sales at that time. Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Evan Williams have their own important roles in the bourbon history, but they did not initiate the practice of exclusive bottled sales in the same manner as Old Forester. Understanding these nuances is essential to appreciating the evolution of bourbon as a market and its impact on consumer practices.