Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2024 Release

Released September 2nd, 2024 — the most recent Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. The 12-year small-batch selection from America's first commercially bottled bourbon, released annually on founder George Garvin Brown's birthday.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is released once per year on September 2nd — George Garvin Brown's birthday — from a unique small-batch of hand-selected 12-year-old barrels. The 2024 is the most recent vintage: a different barrel selection at a different natural proof from every previous Birthday Bourbon, making it an unrepeatable expression that will never be reproduced.

George Garvin Brown established Old Forester in 1870 as America's first commercially bottled bourbon — sealed in glass with his personal signature, creating the quality guarantee standard that the industry follows to this day. The Birthday Bourbon series honors this founding heritage with an annual release that captures the distillery's best 12-year barrels in a one-time expression.

Specs

• Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, Kentucky (est. 1870)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch
• Age: 12 years
• Release: September 2nd, 2024 — Annual Birthday Bourbon
• Size: 750ml

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

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2024 compare to the 2023 and earlier vintages? The 2024 is the most recent Birthday Bourbon — a different barrel selection at its own natural proof. Once exhausted, this specific vintage cannot be restocked. Earlier vintages (2002–2009) command significant premiums as founding-era expressions; the 2024 represents the current state of Old Forester's 12-year program.
• Why is Old Forester the first bottled bourbon? George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles in 1870 with his personal signature as a quality guarantee — at a time when most bourbon was sold from barrels and easily adulterated. This act established the commercial bottling standard the entire industry follows today.
• Is the 2024 Birthday Bourbon still available? Yes — the most recent vintage, available now.