Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual limited-release bourbon whiskey produced by Old Forester. The release of Birthday Bourbon is celebrated each year to commemorate the birthday of George Garvin Brown, the founder of Old Forester, who played a significant role in the history of American whiskey.
Each batch of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is selected from a single day’s production, making it a unique expression of the distillery’s craftsmanship. The specific age of the whiskey may vary from year to year, but it is typically aged for at least 10 years.
This small-batch bourbon is known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It exhibits notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and various spices, providing a well-balanced and enjoyable drinking experience. The proof of the bourbon also varies between releases, usually falling within the range of 90 to 100 proof.
Birthday Bourbon was first released in 2002 from whiskey distilled in 1989 and was the first vintage-dated bourbon.
Each Old Forester Birthday Bourbon batch varies in proof and age, and features a different color seal strip over the cork.
119 barrel batch, barreled on April 16, 2009, aged in Warehouse G.
95 barrel batch, barreled on June 5, 2010.
The highest-proof Birthday Bourbon to date. 120 barrel batch, distilled on May 15, 2008 and aged on the second floor of Warehouse I.
120 barrel batch, distilled on June 9, 2006. 93 barrels matured together on the 3rd floor, on the Northwest side of Warehouse J. The remaining 27 barrels matured together on the 3rd floor, on the Northwest side of Warehouse I.
120 barrel batch. 93 barrels matured together on the 4th floor of G warehouse, and were extremely spice forward. 27 barrels matured together on the 5th floor of K warehouse and contributed rounding sweetness to the blend.
For the first time, all bourbon in this blend aged in the same location within the warehouse. In addition to the vintage statement on the front label, this release reintroduced the age statement on the flat surface below the neck for the first time since 2011.
Aged on the middle floors of Warehouse G and I.
The fermenter set had a higher pH setting for this batch, resulting in a distiller’s beer that was fruitier and less sour than typical batches. Aged in warehouse I on the 7th floor.
82 barrel batch. 2% additional malt was added to the mashbill before fermentation, and was aged in warehouse H and I. This release featured an updated front label.
62 barrel batch. Aged in Northern and Ozark terroir sourced white oak barrels in warehouses H and I, on their 1st and 6th floors respectively.
Aged in Warehouse B and Warehouse J, on the 5th and 8th floors respectively.
Aged on the 6th floor of Warehouse H.
Distilled and barreled in 1993, one week prior to the 2005 Birthday Bourbon.
Distilled and barreled in 1993 and aged on the 7th floor of Warehouse H.
Distilled in Fall 1995, this 8-year bourbon is the youngest in the series. It was selected by the warehouse crew, making it the only release where the union created the Birthday Bourbon lot.
