Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual release and celebrates the birthday of their founder George Garvin Brown on Sept 2nd every year.
“September is a special month for us at Old Forester.” Campbell Brown, Old Forester President. “We get to mark, in a public manner, through a carefully curated expression; the bourbon my great, great grandfather founded. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the legacy George left behind. And yes, I wish it was easier to locate!”
According to bourbon historian Michael Veach:
In 1870 George Garvin Brown was a pharmaceutical salesman for Henry Chambers and Co. He was selling whiskey to doctors and pharmacies. After hearing complaints about the changing quality of the whiskey the doctors were prescribing to patients, Brown came up with the idea of bottling whiskey to ensure the quality.
Most whiskey at that time was being sold out of the barrel at the pharmacies, saloons and liquor dealers. Bottles were expensive and would cost more than the whiskey that went into them yet this made sense to the specialized market of medicinal whiskey. People would pay more for whiskey if it was for health reasons.
Chambers agreed it was a good idea, but decided that he would rather see Brown start a company to create this whiskey. So instead, he agreed to help Brown set up his own company to sell the whiskey. With Chambers’ help, George Garvin Brown and his older brother J.T.S. Brown, Jr. set up a company and created Old Forrester.
Related:
- Old Forester Whiskey Row Series Reviewed
- Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Reviewed
- Old Forester Master Taster Singel Barrel Reviewed
- Every Old Forester 150th Anniversary Reviewed
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Table of Contents
The Best Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Ranked
As I add more reviews, this comparison table will be updated so you can see how they stack up against each other:
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2021 Review
The new label for Old Forester’s 2021 Birthday Bourbon was just released. This year’s release will be 12 years old and 104 proof. The neckband will be green (see below).
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2020 Review
| BB 2020 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 98 Proof |
| ABV | 49% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 10-Years-Old |
| Style | 95 barrels Barreled on June 5, 2010 One day's production of Old Forester Bottled at the Old Forester Distilling Co. on Louisville's Historic Whiskey Row |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $130 |
| Distillery | Old Forrester |
| Pros | Coming Soon |
| Cons | Coming Soon |
| Availability | Allocated |
| Rating | Coming Soon |
| Inventory | Coming Soon |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019 Review
| BB 2019 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 105 Proof |
| ABV | 52.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 11-Years-Old |
| Style | 120 barrels distilled on May 15, 2008 and aged on the second floor of Warehouse I |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $100 |
| Distillery | Old Forrester |
| Pros | Bright, Deep Red Fruit |
| Cons | No Major Flaws |
| Availability | Allocated |
| Rating | Gold 95 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Stock...if you can find it |
Describing this year’s release, Jackie Zykan, Master Taster, says:
“Birthday Bourbon selections have ranged from nine- to 14-years-old since the expression was first launched in 2002. When selecting the barrels for this year, we found something truly exceptional in this lot and we’re proud to call it our 2019 Birthday Bourbon.”
She further elaborates on some tasting notes for this year’s release: “a taste consisting of rich oak spice and blackcurrant coupled with light maple, caramel cake, and white floral notes.”
Thick and oily beads of bourbon roll down the curves of my Glencairn whiskey glass
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
The minute I popped the cork this Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019 smacked me in the face with full flavors of tart red berries and cherries. Reminds of me of a good old fashion cherry pie with a flaky, buttery crust that’s got a sugary glaze.
Just a hint of baking spice dancing in the background. This is a whiskey I could nose all day.
Taste – 95 out of 100 Points
White pepper starts the show than it’s an explosion of complex and balanced under ripened fruit flavors, the backend has some oak, baking spice, and just a pop of that yeasty flavor note I get from a lot of the Old Forester whiskey row series.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
Great finish. Stewed fruit, oak, black pepper, and it just warms the entire throat. A Kentucky hug at its finest.
Verdict – Gold 95 out of 100 Points
For me, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019 is a must buy if you can find it at retail $99.99. It’s rich, complex, and overall delicious. The problem? It’s hard to find. Your best bet? Stockpile some bottles you can trade for what you want later especially between Sept to Nov when all the limited releases hit the shelves.
What you can probably get your hands on is some solid store picks from local groups or honey holes. Worst comes to worst pick up a bottle of Old Forester 1920 or 1910. Both are solid and well worth drinking.
If you’ve had this year’s Birthday Bourbon, share your tasting notes below.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2018 Review
| BB 2018 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 101 Proof |
| ABV | 50.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | 93 barrels aged on the 3rd floor, NW Warehouse J 27 barrels aged on the 3rd floor, NW Warehouse I |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $100 |
| Distillery | Old Forrester |
| Pros | Great Nose |
| Cons | Falls Flat Through Finish |
| Availability | Allocated |
| Rating | Silver 91 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Pass for Me |
Long ribbons cover my Glencairn. The color is deep bronze.
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
Savory baking spices play beautifully with apple pie strudel and caramel with pops of bright, crisp apples.
Taste – 90 out of 100 Points
Light on front. Mild baking spice and oak. Pop of briny saltwater taffy. I’m just missing the flavor explosion from the nose. I want those deep, rich caramelized flavors and that crisp apple.
Finish – 90 out of 100 Points
It was a medium to long finish with more savory notes like cinnamon, leather, and white pepper.
Verdict – Silver 91 out of 100 Points
The nose blew me away. My taste buds were primed for something over the top delicious but the taste and finish fell flat. It was light and muted compared to the vibrant flavors on the nose.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2017 Review
| BB 2017 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 96 and 95.4 Proof |
| ABV | 48% and 47.7% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | All distilled on May 27, 2005 120 12-year old barrels from different warehouses and floors 93 barrels from the 4th floor of G warehouse 27 barrels from the 5th floor of K warehouse External wall in the sun Old Forester’s heat cycled warehouses for several barrels |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2016 Review
| BB 2016 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 97 Proof |
| ABV | 48.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | 93 barrels 14,400 bottles Largest Birthday Bourbon Releases as of 2016 Barreled on June 4, 2004 Aged on the 5th floor of Warehouse K West Facing Window |
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
Stewed fruit. Musty leather. Cinnamon undertow. Charred oak.
Taste – 93 out of 100 Points
Pop of fruit followed by bold cinnamon and charred oak with subtle leather. Spicy black pepper on top of the tongue.
Finish – 92 out of 100 Points
The finish is long. Faint sweetness. More oak, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Verdict – Gold 93.3 out of 100 Points
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2015 Review
| BB 2015 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 100 Proof |
| ABV | 50% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | Same warehouse for all barrels Aged near a window Close to a heat cycling duct Very high temperatures |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $80 |
| Distillery | Old Forrester |
| Pros | Oak Forward |
| Cons | Not My Fav Flavor Combo |
| Availability | Allocated |
| Rating | Silver 91 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Pass for Me |
Birthday Bourbon 2015 offers low to medium glass coverage with a copper color and glimmers of amber.
Nose – 91 out of 100 Points
The nose is full of savory leather, oak, tobacco, and black pepper. There’s an underlying sweetness from charred caramel and brown sugar.
Taste – 90 out of 100 Points
The palate follows suit but the charred caramel and brown sugar are more prominent front of the palate (and a building pepperiness) along with toasted oats and dark chocolate with a medley of the savory notes from the nose — leather, charred oak, tobacco, and black pepper — at the mid- and back palate.
Finish – 91 out of 100 Points
The finish is long with black pepper, dark chocolate, and tobacco carrying through the end
Verdict – Silver 91 out of 100 Points
Birthday Bourbon 2015 has the sweet notes I’ve come to expect from these Old Forester releases but with savory notes in boatloads. It was a solid entry but not necessarily my favorite flavor pairings.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2014 Review
| BB 2014 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 97 Proof |
| ABV | 48.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | No Barrel Info |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2013 Review
| BB 2013 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 98 Proof |
| ABV | 49% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 18% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | No Barrel Info |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2012 Review
| BB 2012 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 97 Proof |
| ABV | 48.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | Single day’s 82 barrel batch Extra 2% of malt added to the fermenter Warehouse H |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2011 Review
| BB 2011 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 98 Proof |
| ABV | 49% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | 62 barrel batch of 99Fll Northern and Ozark terroir sourced white oak Aged in warehouses H and I 1st and 6th floors |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2010 Review
| BB 2010 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 95 Proof |
| ABV | 47.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | Barreled October 1997 Middle of Warehouse K 5th floor in ricks 42, 43, and 4 |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2009 Review
| BB 2009 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 97 Proof |
| ABV | 48.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | Small Warehouse B and larger Warehouse J 5th and 8th floors 98 barrel batch of 97C19 |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2008 Review
| BB 2008 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 94 Proof |
| ABV | 47% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | 6th floor of Warehouse H Upper floors where heat builds |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007 Review
| BB 2007 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 94 Proof |
| ABV | 47% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | No Barrel Info |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2006 Review
| BB 2006 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 96 Proof |
| ABV | 48% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | Barreled one week prior to the 2005 Birthday Bourbon Aged for One Additional Year Aged on the 7th floor of Warehouse H |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2005 Review
| BB 2005 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 96 Proof |
| ABV | 48% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 12-Years-Old |
| Style | Aged on the 7th floor of Warehouse H Extreme Heat |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2004 Review
| BB 2004 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 94 Proof |
| ABV | 47% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 8-Years-Old |
| Style | Warehouse L during a cycling period |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Fall 2003 Review
| BB 2003 Fall | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 89 Proof |
| ABV | 44.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | Low heat cycling Not exposed to rising heat or sunlight |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Spring 2003 Review
| BB 2003 Spring | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 93 Proof |
| ABV | 46.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | Accelerated heat cycling In the Sunlight |
Full Review Coming Soon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2002 Review
| BB 2002 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 95 Proof |
| ABV | 47.5% |
| Mashbill | 72% Corn, 16% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Brown-Forman Shively Distillery |
| Age | 13-Years-Old |
| Style | Barrels were soaked in a thunderstorms before being filled |
Full Review Coming Soon
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Written by Matty Sims
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