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Whiskey Review: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025

Note: This review of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 reflects the personal opinions of Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was sent to him as a media sample.

Old Forester celebrates the birthday of its founder, George Garvin Brown, with this limited-edition, vintage-dated bottle released each September 2. The 2025 release is 12 years old and 92 proof. In a 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.

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.

The suggested retail price is $199 per 750-ml. bottle.

Nose

Brown spice, vanilla bean, milk chocolate, light red fruits. A touch of cinnamon spice and heat, surprising for the low proof, but overall this is very well balanced and inviting.

Palate

That cinnamon note on the nose is a preview of the palate. This tastes super peppery, with tons of cinnamon spice. Verrrrrry spicy, a shock for the low proof. Beneath all that heat and tannins is toffee and milk chocolate.

Finish

More peppery cinnamon spice as the finish turns dry, with light cherries and milk chocolate lingering. Medium Kentucky hug, as this spicy whiskey reverts back to its 92 proof in closing.

Upshot

This is the spiciest Birthday Bourbon I can recall, a cinnamon bomb for sure. Those classic Old Forester red fruit and milk chocolate notes are still there, lovely but layered beneath the big red heat of this bourbon that punches well above its 92 proof. Admittedly, I’m one of those purist nuts who never puts water in their whiskey, but this asks for an ice ball. The 2025 Birthday Bourbon is for fans of peppery cinnamon notes.

Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent pieces, 8 Beverage Alcohol Trends in 2025 and Whiskey Review: Michter’s Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Edition.

The post Whiskey Review: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 appeared first on Beverage Information Group.

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