Every year on September 2, Old Forester celebrates George Gavin Brown’s birthday by releasing a Birthday Bourbon. But this year is different. In addition to being the twentieth installment in this series, it also marks Old Forester’s 150th anniversary. Master Distiller Chris Morris and Master Taster Jackie Zykan selected 95 barrels of their bourbon, aged 10 years, for the 2020 edition of the Old Forester Birthday expression. This batch was barrelled on June 5, 2010. Bottled at 98 proof, the straight bourbon is selected for its distinct character.

Today, get your hands on one of these limited-edition bottles!

Notes on Tasting

The scent is perfectly balanced, with floral notes, citrus, vanilla, leather, cocoa, spice, and magnolia, all counterbalanced by caramel, brown-sugar sweetness, and a hint of tropical fruit. With a nutty undertone, the tropical sweetness of caramel and toffee gives way to notes of banana, mango, and coconut. lengthy, drying finish with a hint of anise.

Concerning Old Forester Bourbon

Numerous distilleries in the United States were still not aging their whiskey in the late 19th century. Because of this, some retailers would sweeten their whiskey with juices and syrups, while others would add tobacco and acid to give their whiskey its distinctive amber color.

A young Kentucky pharmaceutical salesman named George Garvin Brown recognized the need in 1870 for a consistently superior whiskey that would not be tampered with after distillation. In order to create Old Forester’s consistent flavor profile, Brown and his brother saved $5,500 and established J.T.S. Brown & Bro. They then started batching barrels of bourbon from respectable Louisville distilleries. Old Forester was the first bottled bourbon available because Brown, in contrast to other bourbon manufacturers at the time, bottled his whiskey in sealed glass bottles to guarantee authenticity and quality​.

Old Forester has been available for purchase continually from its launch in 1870, even throughout the Prohibition era when it was still being marketed for medical purposes. Prior to, throughout, and following Prohibition, it was the only bourbon that the founding family continued to distill and sell.

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