Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2015 Release

12 years. Released September 2nd, 2015. One of the older surviving Birthday Bourbon vintages — increasingly rare and out of primary retail distribution.

Old 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 genuinely unrepeatable.

The 2015 is now a decade out of its release year, making it one of the older Birthday Bourbon vintages still in circulation. For collectors assembling a vertical of the series, the 2014 and 2015 vintages represent the most challenging acquisitions in the recent run.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep amber with warm red-brown tones.
• Aroma: Caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, and a gentle dried fruit character.
• Palate: Rich and layered — toffee, baking spice, dark fruit, and a warm grain sweetness from 12 years in the barrel.
• Finish: Long and warming — barrel char, vanilla, and oak spice in a clean, satisfying close.

Specs

• Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 12 years
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2015 Annual Birthday Bourbon

Browse the full Old Forester collection or explore all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon series? 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 2015 differs from every other vintage in barrel selection and proof and will never be reproduced.
• Why is Old Forester significant in bourbon history? Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester was the first bourbon sold exclusively in sealed bottles — a quality guarantee that predates modern food safety law by decades. It is the oldest continuously produced bourbon brand in America.
• How rare is the 2015 vintage? Very. Bottles from this vintage are no longer in primary retail distribution and appear only through specialty retailers with legacy stock. If you are building a Birthday Bourbon vertical, the 2014 and 2015 vintages are the hardest to source.
• Does bourbon age in the bottle? No. Once bottled, bourbon stops developing. The flavor profile of the 2015 is fixed. Proper storage — away from light and heat, stored upright — will preserve it indefinitely.