Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2017

Awesome release. Little funky. Almost bready.

Great nose, lots of floral, but was a little disappointed with the palate. Finish was a little too hot for my taste.

As I said in my two previous reviews (Old Forester Birthday 2015 and 2016), I just had a flight of these three bourbons. My excitement beforehand, and my disappointment afterward, could not have been more polar opposites. Sadly, the newest Birthday release is not the Cordelia to 2015’s Goneril or 2016’s Regan. There just is something about this line that does not sit well with me. Where are all the incredible flavors bursting out of the no-age-statement Old Forester 1920, which may be my favorite regular release bourbon? Perhaps there is something about Brown-Forman’s juice that just does not benefit from aging up to the tween years, as Old Forester 1920 is probably a blend of product in the 4-8-year range and is amazing. 2017 actually takes a step in the wrong direction on the nose, with similar aromas to 2015 but with a slightly artificial caramel and glue melange that’s messing with my senses. The palate is another wallop of oak and another desperate search for sweet notes. If anything, bitter flavors of resin, tobacco, and shoe polish grow in strength through yet another dry finish. I saw this at my local liquor store for $130 and am so grateful I didn’t grab it. I just purchased two Four Roses Private Selections for less than that while in Indianapolis, which is indicative of the incredibly bad value that Birthday Bourbon has become in the current climate.