OFBB 2006 announced

[Sijan]

Just got an email announcing the 2006 OFBB. In most relevant part:

"Unique to any other release, the latest edition of Birthday Bourbon was bottled at the same proof and barreled at the same season as last year's – the only difference? This whisky was allowed to mature in the barrel exactly one year longer, so it's a great illustration of how maturation differences can make significant changes in the flavor of a whisky."

http://www.oldforester.com/better/birthday.asp

Vintage 1993 Spring Season

Release date-Saturday, September 2, 2006

96 proof

Less than 8,500 bottles produced

This year marks the sixth release of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. This expression was chosen to honor the birthday of George Garvin Brown, the Bourbon industry’s pioneer and our founder. Unique to any other release, the latest edition of Birthday Bourbon is bottled at the same proof and barreled at the same season as 2005’s – the only difference? The whisky was allowed to mature in the barrel exactly one year longer. This expression is a great illustration of how subtle maturation differences make significant changes in the flavor profile of a whisky.

According to Old Forester Master Distiller, Chris Morris, a bourbon receives between 50 - 60 percent of its flavor profile from the maturation process. “Of course both releases exhibit the classic Old Forester taste profile, but there the similarities end,†said Morris. “Where the 2005 vintage exhibited a rich cinnamon, spice note this vintage is naturally spiced with a cool, refreshing hint of spearmint.â€

Unlike the standard Old Forester, which is a blend of whisky from several different years, Birthday Bourbon is a vintage-dated bourbon, hand-selected by Morris from one specific day. The result is a one-of-a-kind character and flavor that will never be replicated again. Its unique decanter style glass bottle is a throw back to the late 1800’s when Old Forester was first produced.

You’ll find the nose of this brownish-orange bourbon to be very sweet and powerful with strong vanilla and caramel toffee notes layering over hints of orange peel and tea leaves. There is a nice balance of oak that opens with a hint of spearmint. This year’s Birthday Bourbon taste is cool with hints of tea, mint and ripe apple fruit. And the finish is very clean, fruity and tea-like.

[cubacroc]

Several cases of the OF 2006 Birthday Bourbon were on display at Old Town at noon today.

[Sijan]

Has anyone seen this on shelves yet? I haven't in the DC area.

[jeff]

I saw it last weekend at the Cork and Bottle in Covington and at the Party Source in Newport. I have not seen this one in Lexington yet.

[jburlowski]

I bought a bottle here in Northern KY a few weeks ago but haven't opened it yet. It's in queue for next weekend. I'll see if I can come up with some tasting notes.

[BourbonJoe]

I tried some at the KBF. Fricky bought a bottle because it was his birthday. I liked it just a tad better than the 2005 (which I like very much). The new one is just slightly woodier and maybe a tad richer than the 2005. Good stuff.

Joe :usflag:

[pepcycle]

Thanks to Cliff for supplying this at his bar and the Gazebo.

Pleasantly surprised by the consistency between this and last year's version.

Seems that BF is trying to throw us a change up pitch.

One year its 13 years old, next its 8, then its 13, then its 14?.

Chris Morriss indicated to me a few years ago that he intentionally picked whiskeys that were different. Now, he picks one intentionally similar.

I kinda like that.