Old Forester's Rare and Coveted New Whiskey Is Worth the Hunt
The bottling, which traces its history back to 1964, is as delicious as it is hard to find.
While Old Forester might be most famous for its Birthday Bourbon (and more recently for its 117 Series), the brand also offers a variety of single barrel whiskeys that give a glimpse into the brand’s process. Of such releases, President's Choice may be the most coveted, and the brand just launched a limited-edition summer bottling of it.
Old Forester President's Choice traces its roots back to 1964, when former Brown-Forman President George Garvin Brown II offered the first private single barrels to customers. This year's edition comes from hand-selected barrels with "truly exceptional character," according to the distillery, aged from seven to 12 years and bottled between 105 and 120 proof.
"President's Choice is our most sought-after product—and most people never get the chance to buy a bottle," says Old Forester master taster Melissa Rift.
Yes, it's challenging to find. However, this is the largest Old Forester President's Choice release so far, making it a bit easier for anyone to get their hands on a bottle. Still, it will remain an incredibly rare find—one whose price generally increases on the secondary market.
With a suggested retail price of $225, the whiskey can only be purchased at Old Forester Distilling Co., select Kentucky retailers, or via the brand’s official website.
Earlier this year, the brand dove back into its 117 Series, which it initially launched back in 2021. We loved the most recent expression, which was finished in rum barrels, adding a unique tropical twist.
The brand's Birthday Bourbon, meanwhile, is launched each year on September 2, founder George Garvin Brown's birthday. Last year, it was released through a sweepstakes, in which 500 winners were chosen. Old Forester has not yet unveiled how to get the 2024 release, but we'll likely know within the next month.
Related: 21 Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned, Tasted and Reviewed