The Limited-Edition Celebratory Bourbon Old Forester Sells Annually
As with most Bourbons, Old Forester, the renowned Bourbon distillery, regularly releases limited edition bottles. But there's one in particular that is extra-special to avid fans of the brand. Every year on September 2nd, Old Forester releases a limited edition birthday Bourbon in celebration of its founder, George Garvin Brown's birthday. The tradition started back in 2002, and since then, the annual release has become a highly anticipated event in the world of Bourbon aficionados.
The birthday Bourbon release is particularly special because it is always a one-of-a-kind blend of barrels, selected by the master distiller. This means that each year's release is unique, and Bourbon enthusiasts have come to cherish these limited edition bottles as rare and valuable additions to their collections. But with a limited supply and a unique flavor profile, bottles of birthday Bourbon come with a significantly higher price tag.
These birthday Bourbons are steep with prices ranging from around $99 to $200. If the bottles are being retailed from a secondary marketplace, they can go for thousands of dollars though. However, for Bourbon enthusiasts and collectors, the opportunity to own a piece of Old Forester history is well worth the investment.
What you should know about the releases
Over the years, Old Forester has released some exceptional birthday Bourbons, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The 2020 release was a 10-year-old Bourbon, bottled at 98 proof, with notes of caramel, cherry cobbler, and dark chocolate-covered almonds. Now the bottle retails for more than $1,300. Last year's 2022 release expresses hints of caramelized orange peel, vanilla-soaked cherries, and graham crackers. It sells for more than $1,200.
But it's not just the taste that makes these limited edition bottles so coveted. Each year's release comes in a specially designed bottle and packaging unique to that year's batch, making it a true collector's item. The packaging changes annually, but the bottles tend to be shaped like decanters with short, wide bodies, and they're outfitted with an elegant label featuring that year's unique color and Brown's signature.
So mark your calendars and be sure to keep an eye out for this year's release. Bourbon collectors will not want to miss it.