Old Forester’s Beloved Birthday Bourbon 2025: 12 years old, 92 proof and sweet mash

National sweepstakes returns, offering a chance to purchase rare whisky

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Aug. 18, 2025 Old Forester is honored to release its most anticipated annual whisky: Birthday Bourbon. This year’s expression is 12 years old and 92 proof and the bottle offers a unique twist that sets it apart from previous years.

In a rare departure from tradition, this year’s batch was created without the use of “setback” during fermentation — a standard practice that ensures consistency. Instead, a “sweet mash” process was used, relying solely on freshly-propagated yeast.


This anomaly resulted in a silky and sweet flavor profile that shines at 92 proof.
These rare barrels from one day’s production (April 5, 2013) were selected by Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo.
It was drawn from 210 barrels aged in Warehouse K, Floors 1 and 5.

“For our 25^th Birthday Bourbon release, the absence of setback allowed the yeast to express its full character, creating a flavor profile that’s both delicate and complex,” Trigo said.
Old Forester celebrates the birthday of its founder, George Garvin Brown, with this limited-edition, vintage-dated bottle released each September 2.

(Please note: Birthday Bourbon will NOT be sold at the distillery on September 2.)
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon will be available through an online sweepstakes running on OldForester.com August 18 through August 21, 2025.

Anyone winning the opportunity to purchase a bottle through the sweepstakes must purchase and pick it up at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville between September 4, 2025 and December 20, 2025 (see official rules for all terms and conditions). Each bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.99. Limit one per customer and credit card only.

“There’s no better way to honor our founder than by sharing this rare and remarkable expression with bourbon lovers nationwide,” Master Taster Melissa Rift said.

The 2025 Birthday Bourbon will also be available in limited quantities at select retailers nationwide.

Taste notes:
Color – Honeycomb
Aroma – Notes of herbal tea and cardamom complimented by hints of raw oak as well as tropical fruits and green apple
Taste – Silky notes of oak and vanilla, balanced with sweet citrus and clove spice
Finish – candied apple and burnt sugar with leather and chai spice
For more information on how to enter the sweepstakes and official rules and regulations, please visit the website.

About Old Forester Bourbon:

Old Forester is Brown-Forman’s founding brand, founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown. Brown believed Old Forester was so pure and consistent that he sealed it, signed it, and pledged, “There is nothing better in the market.”

Please sip responsibly.
Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 46% Alc. by Vol., Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. ©2025 Brown-Forman. All rights reserved. Please do not share or forward this content with anyone under the legal drinking age.