Here’s all the details on one of bourbon’s most anticipated annual releases
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, one of the whiskey world’s most anticipated annual releases, announced details Tuesday.
Birthday Bourbon comes out on Sept. 2 every year; the suggested retail price is about $130. It’s much-coveted by bourbon fans and is difficult to find because of the limited availability. To find where you can purchase this year’s Birthday Bourbon, check out OldForester.com for a retailer near you.
This year’s version, the 20th release, will be a 10-year-old bourbon bottled at 98 proof. There are 95 barrels, one day’s production, which were barreled on June 5, 2010.
The limited release was selected “after showing exceptionally unique character during a tasting panel,” according to a news release.
This batch, hand-selected by master distiller Chris Morris and master taster Jackie Zykan, has a nose of white floral notes, magnolia and citrus, vanilla, leather and cocoa powder, with flavors of caramel and toffee, banana, mango, coconut and macadamia nut, according to the tasting notes.
“Being part of the Birthday Bourbon selection process is one of my favorite parts of my job because of the legacy and tradition this expression represents,” Zykan said in the release. “We’re really proud of what we’ve produced this year and think it’s a great way to celebrate George’s birthday and Old Forester’s historic anniversary.”
Birthday Bourbon celebrates the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown; this year marks the 150 year of the company he began in 1870.
Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown was a pharmaceutical salesman and was the first to sell his whiskey, Old Forester, only in a glass bottle.
This is the third version bottled at the Old Forester Distilling Co. on Louisville’s Historic Whiskey Row, according to Brown-Forman.
“Founded by my great-great grandfather, Old Forester the only bourbon brand with an uninterrupted 150-year history, sold by the same family company before, during and after Prohibition,” said Campbell Brown, Old Forester President. “Birthday Bourbon is the perfect way to celebrate his birthday and this milestone year makes it even more special. Its annual release has become something that bourbon lovers anticipate, and we really believe that the 2020 version is one of our best yet.”
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 2:46 PM.
