Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2021 Release

Released September 2nd, 2021. A 12-year small-batch selection from the most recent era of the Birthday Bourbon series — now several years out of primary distribution.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once a year on September 2nd — the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown, who founded Old Forester in 1870 as America's first commercially bottled bourbon. Each edition is a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels chosen by the master distiller. No two vintages share the same barrel selection or proof.

The 2021 is the most recent Birthday Bourbon vintage in the current inventory and the most accessible by age within the lineup. While newer than the founding-era vintages, it is still a limited annual release that sold out at primary retail and is not restocked.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with warm golden highlights.
• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak from 12 years of Brown-Forman maturation.
• Palate: Full-bodied — toffee, baking spice, and a warm grain sweetness from the selected barrel cohort.
• Finish: Long and warming — oak and caramel fading into a clean, satisfying close.

Specs

• Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 12 years
• Release: September 2nd, 2021 — Annual Birthday Bourbon
• Size: 750ml

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

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2021 compare to older Birthday Bourbon vintages? The 2021 is the most accessible vintage in the current lineup — more recent stock, more available than pre-2010 vintages, and still fully in its primary flavor window. Older vintages (2003–2007) carry greater historical rarity; the 2021 is for drinkers who want a Birthday Bourbon at its peak.
• 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.
• Is the 2021 still available? In limited quantities. It sold out at primary retail upon release and is available only through specialty retailers with remaining allocation.
• Is Old Forester America's first bottled bourbon? Yes — George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles with his signature in 1870, establishing the commercial bottling standard the industry now follows.