{"product_id":"old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2005-release","title":"Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2005 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e48% ABV (96 proof). Released September 2nd, 2005. A 12-year small-batch selection from the founding era of the Birthday Bourbon series — over 20 years out of primary distribution.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOld Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once a year on September 2nd — the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown — from a unique small-batch selection of 12-year-old barrels chosen by the master distiller. The 2005 was released at 96 proof (48% ABV), slightly higher than the standard Old Forester lineup, reflecting the specific barrels selected for that year's release.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe early Birthday Bourbon vintages (2003–2006) are the founding editions of the modern series and the hardest to source today. Two decades of attrition, smaller original production volumes, and the dramatic rise in Birthday Bourbon collectability since 2010 have made pre-2007 vintages genuinely rare. The 2005 is a documented piece of the series' early history.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 years\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 96 (48% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 2nd, 2005 — Annual Birthday Bourbon\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/old-forester\"\u003eOld Forester collection\u003c\/a\u003e or explore all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes 2005 notable in the Birthday Bourbon series?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2005 is one of the founding-era vintages released before premium bourbon collecting reached its modern scale. At 96 proof it occupies a specific place in the series' proof progression — each year's proof varies based on the specific barrels selected, making the documented proof a meaningful data point for vertical collectors.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the Birthday Bourbon series?\u003c\/strong\u003e Released annually on September 2nd, each edition is a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels. No two vintages share the same barrel selection or proof.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 2005 still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In very limited quantities through specialty retailers with legacy stock. The 2005 is over 20 years out of primary release.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs Old Forester America's first bottled bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles with his signature in 1870, establishing the commercial bottling standard. Old Forester is recognized as America's first commercially bottled bourbon.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What makes 2005 notable in the Birthday Bourbon series?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 2005 is a founding-era vintage at 96 proof \\u2014 released before premium bourbon collecting reached its modern scale. Each year's proof varies based on barrel selection, making the documented proof meaningful for vertical collectors.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the Birthday Bourbon series?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Released annually on September 2nd, each edition is a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels. No two vintages share the same barrel selection or proof.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the 2005 still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"In very limited quantities through specialty retailers with legacy stock. The 2005 is over 20 years out of primary release.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is Old Forester America's first bottled bourbon?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes \\u2014 George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles in 1870, establishing the commercial bottling standard.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49132293521660,"sku":"old-forester-birthday-2005","price":1956.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/old-forester-2005.jpg?v=1779708156","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2005-release","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}