2025 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon made with a twist this year. How to get a bottle
.jpeg "Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual release that many collectors covet. The 2025 version is 12 years old and 92 proof, made using a “sweet mash” process.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Old Forester's 2025 Birthday Bourbon uses a sweet mash for the first time.
- The 12-year-old, 92-proof bourbon sells for $199.99 via online sweepstakes.
- Winners must pick up bottles in Louisville between Sept. 4 and Dec. 20, 2025.
Old Forester is releasing the 25th version of the beloved Birthday Bourbon, and this year’s edition comes with a twist.
The 2025 Birthday Bourbon, which is released annually on Sept. 2 to honor founder George Garvin Brown, was made using a “sweet mash” process that sets it apart from traditional Old Forester, made using a sour mash setback during fermentation, a standard practice to ensure consistency. Using the sweet mash process gave this version a silky and sweet flavor profile, according to the news release.
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The bourbon comes from 210 barrels aged in Warehouse K, Floors 1 and 5. The barrels were made on April 5, 2021, and selected by master distiller emeritus Chris Morris and assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo.
How does 2025 Birthday Bourbon taste?
“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 said in the release.
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of herbal tea and cardamom with hints of raw oak, tropical fruits and green apple. On the palate, it’s silky oak and vanilla, balanced with sweet citrus and clove spice and a finish of candied apple and burnt sugar with leather and chai spice.
Where to find Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
This year’s expression is 12 years old and 92 proof, and has a suggested retail price of $199.99 per bottle.
This year, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon will be sold through an online sweepstakes running on OldForester.com Aug. 18 through Aug. 21. Those who are selected must purchase their bottle and pick it up at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville between Sept. 4 and Dec. 20, 2025. Limit one per customer and credit card only.
No bottles will be sold at the distillery Sept. 2. A limited number of bottles also will be available at select retailers nationwide.
