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Old Forester Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Birthday Bourbon

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Published
08/10/2016 by

This September, Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, America’s First Bottled Bourbon™, will introduce its 15th Anniversary release of Birthday Bourbon, the annual limited-edition expression was created to pay homage to founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday on September 2nd.

The 2016 Birthday Bourbon expression is offered at 97 Proof, jointly determined by Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris and Old Forester Master Bourbon Specialist Jackie Zykan. This year marks Zykan’s first involvement with the Birthday Bourbon release since joining the brand in 2015.

“In 2002, when we first introduced Birthday Bourbon, the market for premium Bourbons was almost nonexistent; Birthday Bourbon represented a “first” in this category. But 15 years later, global interest for premium Bourbons and well-crafted whiskeys is at a record high,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris. “We’re proud to have been a part of this story – not just over the last 15 years, but since George Garvin Brown founded America’s First Bottled Bourbon in 1870.”

Each barrel in the Birthday Bourbon selections annually are drawn from the same day of production, this year’s on June 4, 2004, leading to the ‘vintage-dated’ reference. The 2016 release of 93 barrels uniquely matured together on the 5th floor of Warehouse K at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Louisville, KY. The lot was positioned near a window facing west allowing them to be sun kissed, yielding a deeper oak mouthfeel. This warm location provides this year’s release with a deep, rich, oak forward personality. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is bottled in a unique decanter style glass as tribute to the late 1800’s when Old Forester was first produced.

Beginning in September, the 2016 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon will be on shelves with a suggested retail price of $79.99. 2,400 (six bottle) cases will be available for purchase nationwide. This is a largest quantity of Birthday Bourbon ever bottled.

2016 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Tasting Notes

Tasting Remarks from the Master Bourbon Specialist:
“It starts off as soft butterscotch with candied orange peel. It transitions into a creamy vanilla in the middle and finishes with subtle anise and moderate spice. It’s like eating black jelly beans in the middle of an orange grove,” said Jackie Zykan, Old Forester Master Bourbon Specialist on the 2016 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon.

Tasting Notes from the Master Distiller:
Color
Deep reddish umber
Nose
Complex and cinnamon wood spiced with nutty chocolate, dark caramel and rich oak notes all brightened with a dash of crisp citrus fruit.
Taste
Mulled spice sweetness and fruity with bright citrus peel highlights.
Finish
Long and warm with mulled fruit character lingering on.

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