{"product_id":"old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2017-release","title":"Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2017 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12 years. Released September 2nd, 2017. 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\u003eOld Forester holds a singular place in American whiskey history: it is the first bourbon ever sold exclusively in sealed bottles, introduced by George Garvin Brown in 1870 as a guarantee of quality and authenticity. The Birthday Bourbon series honors that founding story with a release that treats the annual barrel selection as a craft statement rather than a commercial product.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep amber with warm mahogany highlights.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, dark cherry, and a warm cinnamon spice.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and full-bodied — toffee, dried fruit, baking spice, and a well-integrated oak backbone from 12 years of barrel contact.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warm — vanilla, barrel char, and 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 2017 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 2017 will never be reproduced.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Old Forester significant in bourbon history?\u003c\/strong\u003e Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester was the first bourbon ever sold exclusively in sealed bottles — a guarantee of authenticity at a time when adulteration of spirits was rampant. It is the oldest continuously produced bourbon brand in America.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 2017 Birthday Bourbon still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In limited quantities. Birthday Bourbon vintages sell quickly at retail and command premiums on the secondary market as they age out of circulation. If the 2017 is available, acquiring it now is the only opportunity.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does Old Forester Birthday Bourbon compare to the 1920 Prohibition Style?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1920 is proofed at 115 and designed to replicate the high-proof, barrel-strength character of pre-Prohibition bourbon. Birthday Bourbon is aged 12 years from specifically selected small batches — more nuanced, more age-forward, and inherently limited by design.\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. Each vintage differs in proof and barrel selection \\u2014 the 2017 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 \\u2014 a guarantee of authenticity at a time when adulteration of spirits was rampant. It is the oldest continuously produced bourbon brand in America.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Is the 2017 Birthday Bourbon still available?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"In limited quantities. Birthday Bourbon vintages sell quickly at retail and command premiums on the secondary market as they age out of circulation.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"How does Old Forester Birthday Bourbon compare to the 1920 Prohibition Style?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"The 1920 is proofed at 115 and designed to replicate high-proof pre-Prohibition bourbon. Birthday Bourbon is aged 12 years from specifically selected small batches \\u2014 more nuanced and age-forward.\"       }     }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49132292210940,"sku":"17-081128014681","price":1073.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/OFBD-2017-copy_e9bce320-9014-4059-ba0f-432172e535b2.png?v=1779708104","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2017-release","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}