The 103 barrels that make up this year’s 2023 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon release were all barreled on May 5th 2011 and stored on the 5th floor of Warehouse I, released this year as a 12yr old at 96 proof. Beautiful perfumed nose, oak, dark, ripe fruit, fig, cherry, and plum with dark brown sugar, molasses, and leather. On the palate, as elegant and as rich as they come. Soft fruit giving way to light oak, then more bright fruit and cinnamon and brown sugar on the finish. May not be for the proof chasers out there, but gosh darn it if you just want the BEST TASTING bourbon that you can really enjoy sip after sip, you’ll LOVE this release, as I do!