Bourbon Review
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Annual Limited Release
⚑ Placeholder review — tasting notes to be updated after the pour.
The Story
Released every September 2nd to mark the birthday of George Garvin Brown — the founder of Old Forester and the man who first put bourbon in sealed glass bottles — Birthday Bourbon is the crown jewel of the Old Forester lineup. Each year's release is drawn from barrels selected from a single day's production, bottled at varying proofs, and kept under wraps until the annual drop. The variation year to year is part of the appeal: some releases are more approachable, others are bold and barrel-forward, but the underlying quality is consistently high. Hunting one down at retail price is worth the effort.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Rich and expressive — dark fruit, toasted oak, and a generous wave of caramel and vanilla. There's a complexity here that reveals itself slowly: dried cherry, leather, and a warm baking spice undercurrent. One of the better noses in the Old Forester range.
Palate
Full-bodied and well-structured. The sweetness is restrained relative to the nose — brown sugar and toffee give way to oak tannins and a firm rye spice backbone. Dark fruit carries through from the nose, joined by hints of chocolate and dried herbs. Each sip offers something slightly different.
Finish
Long and layered, with lingering oak, spice, and a faint dark chocolate note. The sweetness fades gracefully, leaving a dry, satisfying tail. One of the better finishes in the price range — doesn't rush you out.