Bourbon Review: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2016

Pretty pleasant for Old Forester, and certainly better than last year’s release. Sweet and lovely, with apparent age. Refined without losing its edge, the Birthday Bourbon punches through with crunchy breadsticks and corn water. A slight saltiness really brings out the savory elements of the dram. Altogether, the whiskey has me craving a crunchy snack or a yummy pile of cured meats. Complex, salty, and with depth of flavor. Very slight leather and chewiness. Very well balanced. Finish: White pepper, sawdust, leather, spice. Final Thoughts: This year’s Birthday Bourbon release shows both the history of Old Forester in the limited release bourbon world, but also how the brand sees itself in the future: upholding tradition while striding forward into the future. Morris and Zykan have created a particularly delicious bourbon together, and appear to be quite the team. In our recent interview with Zykan , the powerhouse ambassador encourages consumers to find what works for them, explaining that “If you aren’t enjoying the spectrum of flavors in the bourbon you’re drinking, then why drink it? They’re all very different though, so try different products and find one that fits you.” It is clear that Zykan is among the new wave of ambassadors aiming to create real connections between people and their booze, and not another catch-phrase spewing brand robot. Overall, I was impressed but not blown away to bits by this bourbon. Score: 89/100