The Old Forester Tribute Series 12 year bourbon is 115 proof, comes in a decanter inspired by mid-century bottles. See the details.
Old Forester 2026 Tribute Series spent twelve years in heat-cycled warehouses, and that the whiskey comes from its highest age-stated stock, batched together instead of picked from a single barrel or lot.
The Old Forester Tribute Series 12 year bourbon is bottled at 115 proof (57.5 percent alcohol by volume) in a 700 mL decanter. It becomes available Oct. 15 in limited quantities at select retailers nationwide, for a suggested price of $299.99.
It is the first edition of a new annual release, and the bottle looks back to the brand’s holiday decanters of the 1950s and 1960s.
What the Tribute Series 12 Year Bourbon Is Made From
Start with the age. Old Forester describes the 12-year-old as one of its most mature whiskies.
The batching is the headline. The process brings together the brand’s highest age-stated stock instead of relying on single-barrel or single-lot selections. Old Forester also says the series honors its first twice-barreled expression.
Proof is 115 for this edition. Each release will land between 110 and 125 proof.
Caleb Trigo, Assistant Master Distiller, said the expression honors “where Old Forester has been while showcasing what makes our whisky distinctive today.”
Why Heat Cycling Matters to the Tribute Series
Bourbon trade sites describe heat cycling as heating a warehouse through the winter, when barrels in an unheated building would otherwise mature more slowly. Old Forester calls the Tribute Series its definitive showcase of how that heat-cycled environment shapes flavor. It also calls the whiskey its most sophisticated flavor profile to date.
Tasting Notes From Old Forester
Old Forester’s describes the nose as warm, buttery caramel and soft leather with dried golden raisins and dark cherries.
The palate opens on cherry cola and candied walnuts, then moves to sweet cinnamon and cardamom.
The finish is long, with charred toasted oak, cracked peppercorn, cherry preserves and the dryness of black tea.
Cherry runs from the first note to the last, from dark cherries to cherry cola to cherry preserves! These are the maker’s notes, not an outside review.
The Decanter Behind the Tribute Series
The bottle looks back to Old Forester’s design history. The holiday decanter series began in 1950 and ran annually from 1954 through 1969, pairing whisky with packaging meant to last in the home.
The 2026 bottle reinterprets that idea in glass with vertical facets and metallic accents. Its substantial metallic stopper is engraved with Old Forester’s historic quality statement. Old Forester says the bottle is designed for display and collection.
Price and Availability
The suggested retail price is $299.99 for a 700 mL bottle, and availability begins Oct. 15. Old Forester says quantities are limited. The materials do not name the retailers or say how many bottles exist.
FAQ
When can you buy the Old Forester Tribute Series, and what does it cost?
Availability begins Oct. 15, 2026, at select retailers nationwide, in limited quantities. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $299.99.
How is the Tribute Series batched?
Old Forester says it brings together its highest age-stated stock instead of using single-barrel or single-lot selections. The 2026 edition is 12 years old and bottled at 115 proof, within the 110 to 125 proof range the brand says each release will use.
Will there be a Tribute Series every year?
Old Forester calls it a new annual release, and the 2026 bourbon is the inaugural edition.
What should I know about the Tribute Series bottle before buying?
It holds 700 mL, and Old Forester designed it for display and collection. The glass has vertical facets and metallic accents, and the metallic stopper is engraved with the brand’s historic quality statement. It is inspired by the holiday decanter series the brand introduced in 1950.
How does the Tribute Series use Old Forester’s heat-cycled warehouses?
Old Forester says the bourbon aged twelve years in heat-cycled warehouses and calls the series its definitive showcase of that process. Heat cycling means heating the warehouses through the winter instead of letting them go cold.
