From Robb Report · Jonah Flicker · · 1m 10s
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon finds its form again
The fall unicorn that got forgotten is back, and the 2026 bottle is the best one in years.
In brief
The fall unicorn that got forgotten is back, and the 2026 bottle is the best one in years. Birthday Bourbon lost the hype race to Pappy and BTAC, but the 2026 release is worth chasing on the strength of the whiskey itself. Originally reported by Robb Report.
Unicorn season starts now
Autumn does more than drop leaves. It is also when bourbon's hardest to find bottles land, and the hunt begins all over again.
“this is the time of year when some of the most highly collectible unicorns of the bourbon world also appear”
The annual Old Forester drop
Birthday Bourbon comes once a year from Old Forester, which is exactly why it sits on the chase list every fall.
Outshined by bigger names
BTAC, Pappy Van Winkle and Four Roses have soaked up the attention lately, pushing Birthday Bourbon out of the spotlight.
“this annual release seems to have been overshadowed by other brands like BTAC, Pappy Van Winkle, and Four Roses in recent years”
The 2026 bottle delivers
This year's release is a return to form for the line, and critic Jonah Flicker rates it among the strongest editions in years.
“this year's edition is one of the best in recent memory”
Hype is not the point
Collector buzz drifts toward whichever label is loudest. What is in the glass this year says Birthday Bourbon deserves a second look.
What it means
Birthday Bourbon lost the hype race to Pappy and BTAC, but the 2026 release is worth chasing on the strength of the whiskey itself.
