{"product_id":"old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2026","title":"Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 proof | 11 years old | 750mL\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vendors?q=Old+Forester\"\u003eOld Forester\u003c\/a\u003e Birthday Bourbon 2026 is the distillery's annual flagship release, drawn this year from 212 barrels aged 11 years on the third floor of Warehouse B in Shively, the oldest warehouse at the Old Forester distillery campus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery September, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vendors?q=Old+Forester\"\u003eOld Forester\u003c\/a\u003e honors its founder, George Garvin Brown — born September 2, 1846 — with a one-of-a-kind \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bourbon-whiskey\"\u003ebourbon\u003c\/a\u003e that can never be made again. The 2026 expression breaks new ground: it's crafted with a sweet-mash fermentation, meaning no setback from a previous distillation was used. That choice gives this year's vintage a distinctively bright, honeyed character. As always, distribution is extremely limited — bottles are released through the distillery sweepstakes and a small allocation to select retailers. Del Mesa Liquor is proud to be one of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Baking spice and zesty ginger open into vanilla bean, honey, malted graham cracker, and a hint of cherry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm honey and buttery caramel layered with bold tobacco, herbal notes, and bright cherry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Toasted oak and graham cracker with lingering herbal mint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Buy It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn 11-year-old, 97-proof vintage \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bourbon-whiskey\"\u003ebourbon\u003c\/a\u003e — bottled once and never repeated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst Birthday Bourbon made with sweet-mash fermentation, a genuine one-year-only profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSourced from 212 barrels on Warehouse B's third floor, Brown-Forman's oldest aging warehouse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cornerstone bottle for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rare-top-shelf\"\u003erare and top-shelf whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e collectors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtremely limited allocation — once it's gone, it's gone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSip neat in a Glencairn at room temperature to experience the full arc from honeyed spice to herbal mint. A few drops of water will open the cherry and vanilla bean notes. Reserve this bottle for special pours — it earns them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat proof is Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2026 release is bottled at 97 proof (48.5% ABV), after 11 years of aging in new charred oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow limited is the Birthday Bourbon release?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's one of the most allocated bottles in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/american-whiskey\"\u003eAmerican whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e — sold through the distillery sweepstakes plus a very small retail allocation. Our stock is limited to what we receive; three bottles is the full allotment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes the 2026 vintage different from past years?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis year's expression was made with sweet-mash fermentation — no setback from a prior distillation — giving it a distinct honeyed brightness compared to previous Birthday Bourbon vintages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Old Forester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50463372443691,"sku":null,"price":699.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1277\/3667\/files\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2026.jpg?v=1790120717","url":"https:\/\/www.delmesaliquor.com\/products\/old-forester-birthday-bourbon-2026","provider":"Del Mesa Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}