Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2008 Release

Released September 2nd, 2008. A 12-year small-batch selection from the era when Birthday Bourbon was earning national and international whisky honors and establishing itself as a must-have annual release.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once a year on September 2nd from a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels. By 2008, the series had been running for several years and was accumulating significant critical recognition. The 2008 vintage reflects the series at a moment of growing collector awareness — still before the peak demand years of 2013–2018, but no longer the overlooked specialty release it was in its founding era.

The 2008 is now over 15 years out of primary distribution and survives only through specialty retailers with deep legacy inventory. It represents the series in its confident middle years — recognized for quality, not yet subject to the allocation frenzy that would follow.

Specs

• Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 12 years
• Release: September 2nd, 2008 — Annual Birthday Bourbon
• Size: 750ml

Browse the full Old Forester collection or explore all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Birthday Bourbon series? Released annually on September 2nd — founder George Garvin Brown's birthday — each edition is a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels. No two vintages share the same barrel selection or proof.
• How does the 2008 fit within the Birthday Bourbon timeline? The 2008 falls between the extremely rare founding-era vintages (2002–2006) and the peak-demand era (2013–2018). It is moderately rare but more accessible than pre-2007 vintages.
• Is the 2008 still available? In limited quantities through specialty retailers with legacy stock. Over 15 years out of primary distribution.
• Is Old Forester America's first bottled bourbon? Yes — George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles with his signature in 1870.