Old Forester’s President’s Choice Returns in 2026 With Rare Bourbon and Rye Releases

(Photo: Old Forester)

Old Forester is bringing back one of its most sought-after annual releases just in time for National Bourbon Day.

The Brown-Forman-owned whiskey brand announced Monday that President’s Choice will return on June 13, marking both National Bourbon Day and the eighth anniversary of the opening of the Old Forester Distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville.

The limited release will once again include both President’s Choice Bourbon and President’s Choice Rye, marking the second consecutive year that the rye expression has joined the lineup.

President’s Choice occupies a unique place in Old Forester’s portfolio. The annual release is made up of hand-selected single barrels chosen for their maturity, complexity and distinct character. According to the company, the release traces its roots back to 1964, when former Old Forester president George Garvin Brown II offered private single barrels to select customers.

“It’s always an exciting time for us to bring the next iteration of President’s Choice to whiskey enthusiasts who truly cherish exceptional taste,” Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift said in a news release. “Our process of tasting each barrel is rooted in the history of this label, and this year’s release is no exception.”

According to Old Forester, barrels selected for the 2026 release were aged between seven and nine years and bottled at proofs ranging from 110 to 125.

Both the bourbon and rye expressions will carry a suggested retail price of $225.

The release will begin at 10 a.m. ET on June 13. A limited number of bottles will be available for purchase at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, while additional bottles will be offered through the brand’s online store for customers in eligible states.

The online release will be limited to consumers in Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Washington, D.C., where direct shipment is permitted.

“Bringing this coveted bottle to audiences means tasting for the highest, most extraordinary depth of our best barrels, which are always hand selected and tasted by us,” Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo said. “Craftsmanship is at the heart of every Old Forester bottle and both this bourbon and rye selection are the peak expressions we offer.”

The announcement comes as distilleries across Kentucky prepare for National Bourbon Day celebrations on June 14, one of the biggest annual events on the bourbon calendar.

For collectors, President’s Choice has become one of Old Forester’s most anticipated annual releases thanks to its limited availability and barrel-by-barrel variation, with each bottling offering a distinct flavor profile selected by the distillery’s tasting team.