Review: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 Edition
We’re 25 years in to Old Forester Birthday Bourbon releases, and the milestone brings with it an exciting twist: Rather than being produced with a traditional sour mash “setback,” this whiskey was made with freshly propagated yeast — a “sweet mash” which is rather rare in the whiskey industry, as sour mash is thought to improve consistency.
That production took place on a single day — April 5, 2013 — and 12 years later, the barrels used in this release were selected by Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. 210 barrels were pulled from aging in Warehouse K, floors 1 and 5. Bottled at just 92 proof, it’s got the lowest abv of any Birthday Bourbon I can recall in 18 years of running Drinkhacker. (Correct me if I’m wrong.)
And so we raise a glass as we do each year to Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Brown, officially launching the start of “whiskey season” on September 2, upon whence all manner of special editions will soon begin dropping. (We’ve already written about a couple of them.)
Let’s give it a whirl.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 Edition Review
Sweet mash, sweet mash — what have you wrought? The nose connotes the barrel, and loads of spice — baking first, then more savory elements of cardamom and white pepper, creating an exotic aroma that nods at incense and Turkish rug shop. Things take a slightly smoky barbecue turn as it develops in the glass, with notes of charry burnt ends, drizzled in blueberry barbecue sauce.
The palate rather shocks: It’s sharp and powerful, immediately sweet and fruity, with a big pop of orangey citrus right away. This settles down quickly, though, and the remainder of the experience is more traditional to the bourbon realm. Vanillas and caramels are scented with both floral and fruit notes, here more apple-leaning, with a lot more baking spice in the mix, heavy on the cloves. That said, it remains a bit of a tighter experience, more acidic with a finish leaning into some green herbs and a brown sugar note. (OldFo’s official tasting note of chai spice is also on point.)
I have to say that Birthday Bourbon can often feel a bit rote, so I’m excited that this year’s experience offers something new not just in production method but in character, too. Check out Old Forester’s website if you want to register for a sweepstakes to buy this at MSRP. Otherwise, good luck on the hunt, y’all.
92 proof.
A- / $200 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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