{"product_id":"old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2016-release","title":"Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2016 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12 years. Released September 2nd, 2016. A small-batch selection from master distiller Chris Morris honoring the birthday of Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eOld Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once a year on the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown, and has been one of Kentucky's most anticipated annual bourbon releases since its introduction. Each edition is a unique small-batch selection of 12-year-old barrels hand-chosen by the master distiller — no two vintages are the same proof or barrel composition, making every release a one-off expression of that specific year's aging.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAs one of the older remaining Birthday Bourbon vintages, the 2016 is increasingly hard to source outside of specialty retailers. For collectors building a vertical of the series, it represents one of the more challenging years to acquire.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep amber with rich mahogany tones.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, dried fruit, and warm baking spice.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and full — toffee, dark cherry, cinnamon, and a well-integrated barrel char backbone.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming — vanilla and oak spice fading into a clean, dry close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky\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\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2016 Annual Birthday Bourbon\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 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon series?\u003c\/strong\u003e Released annually on September 2nd, each Birthday Bourbon is a unique small-batch selection of 12-year-old barrels chosen by the master distiller. Each vintage differs in proof and barrel selection — the 2016 will never be reproduced.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Old Forester significant in bourbon history?\u003c\/strong\u003e Founded in 1870, Old Forester was the first bourbon ever sold exclusively in sealed bottles. It is the oldest continuously produced bourbon brand in America, making Birthday Bourbon a release with genuine historical grounding.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow rare is the 2016 vintage?\u003c\/strong\u003e Older Birthday Bourbon vintages become progressively harder to find as stock depletes. The 2016 is now several years out of primary retail distribution, making remaining bottles genuinely scarce.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eShould I open it or hold it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike wine, bourbon does not continue to develop once bottled. Holding it preserves the vintage documentation and collectible value. Opening it gives you the actual experience. Both are valid — the bottle will not improve or decline in the sealed state.\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 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon series?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Released annually on September 2nd, each Birthday Bourbon is a unique small-batch selection of 12-year-old barrels chosen by the master distiller. The 2016 will never be reproduced.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Why is Old Forester significant in bourbon history?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Founded in 1870, Old Forester was the first bourbon ever sold exclusively in sealed bottles. It is the oldest continuously produced bourbon brand in America.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"How rare is the 2016 vintage?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Older Birthday Bourbon vintages become progressively harder to find as stock depletes. The 2016 is now several years out of primary retail distribution, making remaining bottles genuinely scarce.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Should I open it or hold it?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Unlike wine, bourbon does not continue to develop once bottled. Holding preserves the vintage documentation and collectible value. Opening gives you the actual experience. The bottle will not improve or decline in the sealed state.\"       }     }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49132292636924,"sku":"16-081128020095","price":1158.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/bb2016_full.png?v=1779708123","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2016-release","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}