Up for review today is Old Forester’s annual limited release, Birthday Bourbon. All the details on the 2023 release can be found in the Bourbon Lens archives. Is this rare release going to be worth the hunt this year? Let’s dive in!
About 2023 Birthday Bourbon:
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Age: 12 Years Old
- Proof: 96
- Batch Size: 103 barrels, filled May 5, 2011
- Location: Warehouse I, 5th floor
- MSRP: $169.99
Scott’s Tasting Notes:
- Nose: vanilla, warm raisins, and “fresh” / new leather
- Palate: orange and vanilla jump from the glass; I’m thinking, creamsicle. At first, it is bright with citrus, then turns sweet and rich with wood sugars and like a barrel-aged honey.
- Finish: warm wood tannins linger; though I can see if this may not be for everyone, it is not uncharacteristic for me when tasting a well-aged bourbon.
Closing Thoughts
I will note that I tasted this blind in a lineup of 5 similarly priced and aged, unfinished bourbons. Among those, 15 Stars Platinum, Old Forester 117 Series Bottled in Bond (2023 Batch 1 Release), and Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged (2023 release). I was immediately drawn to this bourbon because of the nose; simply put, my notes included the comment “best of the bunch for the nose.” The palate was definitely amongst my favorites and easily recognizable as a bourbon that had spent more than a decade aging. This is a well-aged bourbon that is expertly blended by the team at Old Forester. There is a reason why this is traditionally one of the most sought after releases each year, aside from the cool packaging, name, and backstory. If you are on the hunt for this bottle, I can certainly vouch for this release as a damn fine bourbon. If you’ve grabbed this bottle or had the opportunity to taste it, we’d love to hear your thoughts as well.
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