Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

[Red-Dot]

Well my name is on the list and fingers crossed. If I get lucky and get a bottle, I hope it's all it's cracked up to be!

[Richnimrod]

Well my name is on the list and fingers crossed. If I get lucky and get a bottle, I hope it's all it's cracked up to be!

Some iterations have been FABULOUS (to my taste buddies) over the years; but, in recent years they've been closer to 'ordinary' than extraordinary.

...Particularly if you judge it with eye on value, rather than only possession of a limited annual edition that has become very hard to find.

Don't get me wrong; the age is apparent and the juice is a cut above Old Forester Signature. Just not 2.5 times as good as OFS.

All this is of course just my opinion. If the price doesn't rise again this year, I may seek out a bottle to try.

[flahute]

If you have super high hopes, it's likely to disappoint. It varies a lot from year to year and it's difficult for this one to live up to the hype. I've had the '12,'13, and '14 and I like them all but if I had to wait in line for it or pay a gouge price I'd be disappointed.

[kjbeggs]

If you have super high hopes, it's likely to disappoint. It varies a lot from year to year and it's difficult for this one to live up to the hype. I've had the '12,'13, and '14 and I like them all but if I had to wait in line for it or pay a gouge price I'd be disappointed.

I've had the same ones. the '13 was my favorite of the lot, but it's not something I'd go out of my way to track down another one.

I've heard some of the older bottlings were very very good though.

Worth putting your name on a list, but not worth paying inflated prices for in my opinion.

[mosugoji64]

The '14 I have is very good, but I wouldn't have gone out of my way to get it. Got lucky and found it on the shelf. Didn't care for the '11 and ended up vatting it to finish the bottle. It's a gamble every year making it difficult to justify the chase that's usually required these days.

[petrel800]

Add me to the hit or miss crowd. When it was $35-40, a miss was fine because it wasn't to big a hit. As this escalates to $60 and beyond, misses become a little more painful.

[dcbt]

OF is one line of bourbon that just doesn't agree with me at all. I hated the 2013 OFBB, which is supposedly the best. Just to prove it was no fluke, I tried some 'regular' OF, the 100 proof, and the 90 proof, both not good. I know there's a "Beam Funk", but to me the "OF Funk" is even worse.

[MOwhisky4me]

Old Forester is my favorite line of bourbons... From the regular 86 proof up through the Birthday Bourbons, I have enjoyed every pour. I agree that the Birthday Bourbon varies (sometimes greatly) from year to year but I have always found elements that I appreciate and enjoy focusing on with each vintage that I've had the pleasure to acquire.

Looking forward to this year's release!

[amg]

OF is one line of bourbon that just doesn't agree with me at all. I hated the 2013 OFBB, which is supposedly the best. Just to prove it was no fluke, I tried some 'regular' OF, the 100 proof, and the 90 proof, both not good. I know there's a "Beam Funk", but to me the "OF Funk" is even worse.

It fascinates me that people will go straight for the limiteds when they don't even know if they like the house profile. I guess that's the hype machine at work.

[flahute]

It fascinates me that people will go straight for the limiteds when they don't even know if they like the house profile. I guess that's the hype machine at work.

I don't think this one is that fascinating. The '13 could be found on the shelf (not as much hype) and was still priced fairly low. Not much risk in trying it even if you'd never had the brand before.

[dcbt]

It fascinates me that people will go straight for the limiteds when they don't even know if they like the house profile. I guess that's the hype machine at work.

[PaulO]

I just looked at my collection of empties. I tried the 2009 and 2010. Back then, they cost me $39.99 plus tax. I thought they were interesting. I don't like it more than OF Signature. The extra age makes the bourbon drier and woodier, if that's what you like.

[amg]

Or the result of being able to try the LE at a Dallas SB tasting get together, and then the house profiles later at a liquor store tasting event...

Assumptions are fun.

[signde]

I know there's a "Beam Funk", but to me the "OF Funk" is even worse.

i feel the same way. there is just something about the birthday bourbons in particular that really turns me off. it has a very distinctive taste. i'm going to steal "OF funk" and claim it as my own.

[The Black Tot]

Jury's out for me on OFBB. Sometimes I drink it and it really hits the spot quite well. Other times I have it and I think it's just OK. These are different years so that's part of it, and I haven't committed to memory which ones are which.

I don't slag it though. It's never a BAD bourbon. It's always at least good. And it's priced VERY fairly if your store isn't gouging.

If I see one, I buy it, and I'm happy to have some on hand. It's my one Brown Forman purchase. I have some unopened ones waiting in the wings, but I'm having to get militant about finishing opened bottles before opening new ones.