Syrup soaked raisins | Molasses | Brown sugar | Rum cake | Vanilla extract | Charred oak | Dark cherry | Rich dark scents

Rye spice | Dry cinnamon stick | Spiced cake | Dry charred oak | Leather

Dry oak | Leather | Spiced syrup cherries | Cinnamon stick | Lingering spice

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is an annual limited release that celebrates the birthday of company founder George Gavin Brown, which was September 2, 1846. He founded the company in 1870 at only 24 years old. The 2024 release of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon marks the 24th release of the series. This year’s release is composed of 209 barrels that were aged in Warehouse G and L. Three people had a hand in this year's creation, with the company stating the release was “Hand-selected by Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and Master Taster Melissa Rift, with aid from Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo.”

Old Forester Birthday Bourbons can be known for their rich flavor profiles, and 2024 starts off checking that box. The sip opens on dark, rich, intoxicating scents of syrup-soaked raisins, molasses, and brown sugar, along with a unique rum cake aroma that adds intrigue. Showing the bourbon’s higher age, the midpoint pivots the sip to more grounded dry notes of oak, cinnamon stick, and leather. These combine with rye spice and spiced cake, which help add depth, but can’t reach the same heights as the nose. Finishing on similar grounded dry notes, oak leather and cinnamon stick make up the core, with spice syrup cherries adding additional definition.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon continues to embrace its position as a highly sought-after limited release with the price once again being increased, this time by a whopping $30, to an MSRP of $200. Considering that the 2021 edition was priced at $130, its price trajectory is one of the fastest-rising in the world of limited edition bourbons. Compound that with the number of barrels in the blend this year increasing to over 200, and it’s clear that Brown-Forman is trying to maximize the potential of this year's release. Thankfully, those who miss out on this year’s release have a core of solid Old Forester products to choose from, including Old Forester 1910, Old Forester 1920, and Old Forester 1924.

Bourbon fans look forward to this limited release every year, and while they’ll most likely continue to do so, the pressure on the brand to deliver an elevated product at its ever-increasing price point will only be raised higher and higher. While this year’s edition is not the best expression the series has seen, in part due to its drier palate and finish, there’s still a lot to appreciate here. Those who obtain a bottle will certainly enjoy its well-aged flavor profile, especially its rich, intoxicating nose. Overall, Old Forester 2024 Birthday Bourbon is a really good bourbon, but it’s one that’s starting to provide me pause, and wondering if it’s beginning to diverge more dramatically from its asking price.