Old Forester Bottles 2025 Birthday Bourbon
Old Forester has announced the release of its most anticipated annual expression: Birthday Bourbon.
This year’s expression is 12 years old and 92 proof, and the bottle offers a twist that sets it apart from previous years.
In a rare departure from tradition, this year’s batch was created without the use of “setback” during fermentation — a standard practice that ensures consistency. Instead, a “sweet mash” process was used, relying solely on freshly-propagated yeast.
This resulted in a silky and sweet flavor, according to the distillery. On the nose is notes of herbal tea and cardamom complimented by hints of raw oak as well as tropical fruits and green apple. The palate brings oak and vanilla, balanced with sweet citrus and clove spice, before a finish of candied apple and burnt sugar with leather and chai spice.
These barrels from one day’s production (April 5, 2013) were selected by Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. This year’s release was drawn from 210 barrels aged in Warehouse K, Floors 1 and 5.
“For our 25th Birthday Bourbon release, the absence of setback allowed the yeast to express its full character, creating a flavor profile that’s both delicate and complex,” Trigo says.
Old Forester celebrates the birthday of its founder, George Garvin Brown, with this limited-edition, vintage-dated bottle released each September 2.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon will be available through an online sweepstakes running on OldForester.com August 18 through August 21, 2025. Anyone winning the opportunity to purchase a bottle through the sweepstakes must purchase and pick it up at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville between September 4, 2025 and December 20, 2025 (see official rules for all terms and conditions). Each bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750-ml. bottle. Limit one per customer and credit card only.
The 2025 Birthday Bourbon will also be available in limited quantities at select retailers nationwide.
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