{"product_id":"old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2009-release","title":"Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2009 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 proof (48.5% ABV). Released September 2nd, 2009. A 12-year small-batch selection released as premium bourbon demand began its dramatic modern ascent.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOld Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once a year on September 2nd from a unique small-batch of 12-year-old barrels. The 2009 at 97 proof reflects the specific barrel selection that year — the natural proof of the chosen barrels at bottling, slightly higher than the previous two vintages.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe 2009 vintage sits in the early-middle era of the series: released after the founding-era years (2003–2006) but before the Birthday Bourbon series reached its peak demand period (2013–2018). Surviving 2009 stock is meaningfully rarer than 2014–2018 vintages and available only through specialty retailers.\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 97 (48.5% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 2nd, 2009 — 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 is the Birthday Bourbon series?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy does the proof change between vintages?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each edition is a different barrel selection bottled at or near the barrels' natural proof. The 2007 was 94 proof; the 2009 is 97 proof; later vintages reach into the 100–107 range. The proof variation is a genuine reflection of each year's specific barrel cohort.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 2009 still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In limited quantities through specialty retailers with legacy stock. The 2009 is over 15 years out of primary distribution.\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 standard for the modern spirits industry.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@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\": \"Why does the proof change between vintages?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Each edition is a different barrel selection at or near natural proof. The 2007 was 94 proof; the 2009 is 97 proof; later vintages reach into the 100-107 range.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the 2009 still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"In limited quantities through specialty retailers with legacy stock. The 2009 is over 15 years out of primary distribution.\" } },     { \"@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 standard for the modern spirits industry.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49128328659196,"sku":"old-forester-birthday-2009","price":1785.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/bb2009_full.png?v=1779559656","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2009-release","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}