Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual limited release from Old Forester, released each September to commemorate founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday. Each vintage is a unique expression of hand-selected barrels, varying in age, proof, and flavor — highly allocated and among the most sought-after annual bourbon releases.

Browse all Old Forester and rare and allocated bottles at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does each Birthday Bourbon vintage differ from previous years?

The master distiller hand-selects barrels from Old Forester’s aging warehouses each year based on what the available stock can produce at its best in that specific vintage. The age statement, proof, barrel count, and resulting flavor profile all vary — some vintages are older and more wood-forward; others are lighter and more fruit-prominent. The release is not blended to a consistent house target the way most permanent expressions are. This means Birthday Bourbon functions more like a vintage wine than a consistent annual product — each year is a distinct release reflecting the barrels available, the master distiller’s judgment, and the conditions of that vintage.

What is the best strategy for obtaining Birthday Bourbon at retail?

Birthday Bourbon is allocated through the distribution chain before retail orders ship, meaning most inventory at retail accounts is pre-spoken for in advance of the September release window. The most reliable approaches are: establishing a relationship with a specific retailer who receives consistent allocation (like Wooden Cork), monitoring retailer emails and new arrival notifications, and moving quickly when allocation is confirmed available — most Birthday Bourbon at retail pricing sells within hours to days of appearing. Secondary market pricing typically runs 2–4x retail for recent vintages, which underscores the value of retail pricing when it becomes available.