The coveted specialty bourbon release celebrates Old Forester’s original creator, George Garvin Brown. Bourbon drinkers will need to be lucky to score this 2025 limited release.
While its classic Mint Julep is a Churchill Downs iconic beverage, bourbon drinkers thirst for a different Old Forester beverage. The annual Birthday Bourbon release has become a coveted bottle. As the specialty offering celebrates its 25 years of impressing spirit enthusiasts, this particular bottle offering has people hoping to score one of the limited bottles.
Time and again, Old Forester impresses with its specialty releases. The 117 Series celebrates the craft and ingenuity of the historic spirits brand. While that series periodically has new releases, the annual Birthday Bourbon has become sought after because it has become more difficult to purchase.
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For the 2025 release, Old Forester is only offering bottles through a national sweepstakes. Available via OldForester.com, people can enter for a chance to purchase one. The cost is $199.99 per bottle.
What Can Drinkers Expect From Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025?
After 25 years, Old Forester continues to surprise and delight drinkers with its annual Birthday Bourbon release. This year’s release has nods to the brand’s history while pushing the boundaries of what people expected from this specialty offering.
Specifically, this expression is aged 12 years. Sourced from 210 barrels aged in Warehouse K, Floors 1 and 5, originally filled on April 5, 2013, the foundation is familiar, yet Old Forester decided to take this release in a different direction.
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READ THE STORYThe distillers chose to break with tradition. According to Old Forester, this particular batch did not use “setback” during its fermentation. Usually, this method ensures consistency. By embracing the possibility of uniqueness or variance, it encourages drinkers to be open to new possibilities. Consistency may be familiar, but uniqueness always needs to be celebrated.
Through the sweet mash process, the flavor profile celebrated Old Forester’s sweetness. As many people appreciate, the iconic bourbon always has a sugary note across its releases. This year’s Birthday Bourbon is sweet, smooth, and seductive.
At 92 proof, the spirit is approachable and easily drunk neat. While a pour over a single cube is lovely, the slight chill does temper a touch of the sweetness.
At first, it is the slightly spicy cardamom aroma that ignites the excitement to bring that glass to your lips. While the green apple offers a burst of brightness, it is the tropical fruit that is unexpected. Even though there is a touch of herbal tea, it is the warm spice that feels familiar, almost comforting.
For that first sip, the clove spice draws on warm, comforting sense memories. It conjures moments snuggling on the couch in front of a warm fire on a chilly day. While the sweet citrus adds a needed brightness, it is the familiar oak and vanilla that tie it back to previous Birthday Bourbon releases.
As the bourbon finishes, it is the chai note that surprises. With a touch of candied apple and burnt sugar, it is a subtle reminder of those special desserts that are part of any celebratory event. Drinkers cannot help but smile after finishing their glass.
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