Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - 2022 Release

Released September 2nd, 2022 — the 20th anniversary era of the Birthday Bourbon series. A 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 — founder George Garvin Brown's birthday — from a unique small-batch of hand-selected 12-year-old barrels. The 2022 release falls in the 20th anniversary era of the series (launched c.2002), now one of the most anticipated annual American bourbon events. Each vintage is unique: a different barrel selection, different proof, and different tasting profile that can never be replicated.

Old Forester was established by George Garvin Brown in 1870 as America's first commercially bottled bourbon — sealed in glass with Brown's signature, establishing the quality guarantee standard that the entire industry follows today. The Birthday Bourbon series honors this founding legacy 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, 2022 — Annual Birthday Bourbon
• Size: 750ml

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

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2022 compare to other Birthday Bourbon vintages? Each vintage is a different barrel selection with different proof and tasting notes. The 2022 is one of the more recent and accessible vintages compared to the extremely rare founding-era editions (2002–2006).
• What is the Birthday Bourbon series? An annual limited release on September 2nd (George Garvin Brown's birthday) — a unique small-batch of 12-year barrels. No two vintages share the same barrel selection or proof.
• Is Old Forester America's first bottled bourbon? Yes — George Garvin Brown began sealing bourbon in glass bottles with his signature in 1870, establishing the commercial bottling standard.