Rich brown sugar | Aged oak | Plump raisin | Faint molasses | Light cinnamon powder | Touch of dried cherry | Classic aroma

Syrup-soaked raisin | Gentle rye spice | Aged, slightly tannic oak | Leather | Brown sugar crumble | Faint cocktail cherry | Dark honey | Baking spices | Light lemon zest | Delicious

Rye spice | Chewy aged funky oak | Light dried tobacco leaf | Dash of candied ginger | Dark caramel

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual limited release that celebrates the birthday of company founder George Garvin Brown, which was September 2, 1846. He founded the company at the age of 24 in 1870. For the 26th release in the series, Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo selected 212 barrels from the third floor of Warehouse B, which is the oldest warehouse at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. While the price is the same as last year, this year’s release comes in at 5 proof points higher than 2025’s conservatively low proof release.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon has had its ups and downs over the past few years. Some years, such as 2021, deliver an exceptional pour, while others, like last year’s 25th anniversary edition, are just above average. For being one of the crown jewels of the Old Forester portfolio, it’s a gamble year to year on what the bourbon will deliver. Tack on a $200 price tag, which thankfully holds from last year, and it’s an unknown risk year to year on what consumers should expect.

Thankfully, those who get their hands on a bottle this year are in for an extraordinary treat. The sip starts off with a classic aroma that features scents of rich brown sugar, aged oak, plump raisin, along with a touch of dried cherry. The middle of the sip is downright delicious, highlighting syrup-soaked raisin, oak, leather, spice, and various rich, sweet notes. A light lemon zest adds a dash of intrigue before the sip moves on to its conclusion, which highlights the bourbon's time in the barrel, pulling forward chewy, aged, funky oak and light dried tobacco that mingle with rye spice and dark caramel. The sip ends on the lingering aged, funky oak note, which adds intrigue.

I’ve looked forward to the new Old Forester Birthday Bourbon each year, ever since trying the brand two decades ago. While the last few years have been just okay, there is no denying that Brown-Forman nailed this year’s release. The sip offers a solid classic bourbon flavor profile backbone, while pulling in just enough twists thanks to cherry, lemon, and candied ginger notes to add intrigue. Bourbon purists may find these twists too modern for their tastes; however, they add welcome variation to an otherwise classic flavor profile

While no bottle count was provided, with the release composed of 212 barrels, consumers should hopefully have a better chance than not to try this bourbon. A very happy birthday indeed for Old Forester.