Introduction

Each year, I look forward to Old Forester’s Birthday Bourbon release with a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism. It’s often a showcase of the brand’s more experimental side, and for the 2025 edition, they’ve decided to try something they haven’t done with this annual bottling before: a sweet mash. That alone was reason enough for me to pick up a bottle—sweet mash isn’t unheard of in bourbon, but from Old Forester, it’s a rare move and a subtle but significant shift in approach. I was eager to see how this technique changed the feel and flavor of their celebrated yearly release.

Nose

Right from the first pour, the aroma carries a softness that caught my attention. There’s a deep cherry note up front—not medicinal, but more like warm black cherries in syrup. Behind that sit layers of baked goods: clove, cinnamon stick, and a hint of nutmeg. It reminded me a bit of standing too close to a bakery on a cold morning. There’s still classic oak there, but less of the sharp char I’ve come to expect from Old Forester’s past releases. It's warm, well-rounded, and inviting without being overly sweet. Overall, the nose feels unusually polished for a release bottled at 50% ABV.

Palate

The mouthfeel is silky with a honeyed texture that makes an immediate impression. The flavor opens with a juicy cherry note again—mature, not candy-like—followed by spiced pears and a wave of brown sugar. There’s a toasty oak character running underneath everything, and what really stands out is how balanced everything feels. The spices come through steadily—a thread of cinnamon and cracked pepper—but they don't overpower. I noticed a slight creaminess toward the mid-palate that felt almost like custard. Compared to previous Birthday Bourbons, this one leans more into fruit and rounded spice than char or tannin-heavy wood.

Finish

The finish lingers longer than I expected, mostly in the form of warm oak, soft spice, and a mellow return of cherry and vanilla. There’s a dry edge to the end that adds needed structure without turning bitter. It fades slowly, and I was still picking up subtle cocoa and dried fruit notes a minute or so after the last sip. Nothing overly dramatic here—just a steady tapering of the rich and balanced flavors from the palate. Importantly, there’s no ethanol burn or harshness, which speaks to the quality of cask selection and blending in this year's batch.

Price and Value

Birthday Bourbon tends to carry a premium price compared to Old Forester's core range, and this year is no different. You’re not getting a budget pour here, but for collectors or seasoned bourbon drinkers, there’s something to appreciate in the craftsmanship and rarity. The sweet mash process adds novelty, and the combination of balance, gentler oak, and nuanced fruit character makes this bottle more than just a collector's item. Still, I wouldn’t recommend chasing it at secondary prices—retail is justifiable, beyond that, it gets harder to rationalize unless you're a true enthusiast.

Background

Old Forester started producing bourbon in 1870 and continues to operate from its home base on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. The Birthday Bourbon series began in 2002 as an annual release commemorating founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday, always bottled at 100 proof and drawn from a single day’s production. What makes the 2025 edition unique is the use of sweet mash instead of the traditional sour mash. In a sweet mash, the mash is made with entirely fresh water and yeast each time, rather than “souring” the next batch with leftover mash from a previous distillation. It’s a more sensitive process and results in a more delicate, precise spirit.

This year’s whiskey was distilled in Spring 2013 and aged for 12 years before bottling. You can find more details about the history and processes behind this release from the Old Forester website.

Final Notes

So, would I buy this bottle again? If I saw it at retail, absolutely. The sweet mash process introduces a lighter hand to what’s often a bold, oak-forward bourbon, and I appreciated that shift in character. For someone new to bourbon, is this the right starting point? Maybe not—there are more approachable and affordable options to begin with—but for someone already familiar with bourbon styles, it’s an interesting departure from the norm.

As for when to pour it, this feels like something best saved for when you really want to pay attention to what’s in the glass, or for sharing with someone who understands nuance in whiskey. In terms of comparisons, it leans less punchy than something like Early Times Bottled-in-Bond or Old Forester 1920—less vanilla-forward and more about the spice-fruit interplay.

Every year, the Birthday Bourbon carries its own signature, and for 2025, that signature comes across as refined, measured, and quietly confident. It’s not trying to impress with intensity—it’s here to show balance, and it succeeds.