Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026 Release 11 Year 700ml

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026 is an 11-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon from Old Forester in Louisville, Kentucky, bottled at 97 proof (48.5% alcohol) in a 700ml decanter.

Old Forester releases Birthday Bourbon each September to mark the birthday of George Garvin Brown, who founded the brand in 1870. The 2026 edition comes from 212 barrels filled in 2015 and aged on the third floor of Warehouse B, the oldest warehouse at the Brown-Forman distillery in Shively. Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo chose the barrels. The new spirit sat for six days over a holiday weekend, so it went into the barrels at 124.4 proof instead of 125.

Old Forester's notes describe baking spice, ginger, vanilla bean, honey, graham cracker and a hint of cherry on the nose, then honey, buttery caramel, tobacco and herbs on the palate, with toasted oak and mint on the finish. Breaking Bourbon calls it one of the best Birthday releases in recent years.

For comparison, see the 2025 Birthday Bourbon, a 12-year-old release.

Sip it neat or with a few drops of water.

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