Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series
Spring 2018 Release: 11 years old
50% ABV
$110
Website
What the Distiller Says
As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the Bottled-in-Bond legacy.
Each Spring and Fall, a new edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released. Bottled in an ornate decanter inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald history tied to John E. Fitzgerald and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree as the brand was first registered in the 1884 by S.C. Herbst, and was eventually sold to Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle during Prohibition. Pappy moved production of Old Fitz to his distillery where it became the first great Wheated Bourbon. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the Old Fitzgerald brand and began distilling it at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber
Nose: Vanilla and dried fruit
Taste: Sweet smooth toffee and caramel
Finish: Cherry and spice on the center of the tongue
What Gary Says
Nose: Soft and sweet, cinnamon toast and vanilla wafers, a hint of nutmeg and oak.
Palate: Crisply sweet, coffee cake w/ a caramel icing and cinnamon dusted, a hint of cocoa and some oak.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, drying with pepper spice as it trails off.
Comments: This is a perfectly nice wheated bourbon. For me, this hits different from the standard Old Fitz line where Heaven Hill’s house style shines through (again – for me that is a eucalyptus/minty crispness). The crispness is there, but I don’t get that mint note. If tasting blind, I wouldn’t have guessed this was from Heaven Hill. Quite tasty – and a lovely bottle – but just not all that impressive to me; especially for the price. Keep in mind – I’m not a big fan of aged wheaters (yes, I’m one of the outliers who doesn’t really care for Pappy; different strokes). So if you are, maybe this hits you in some amazing way. Again – a very nice pour that isn’t flawed; other than not standing out for me as being particularly special..
Rating: Stands Out
I would like to thank my dad for sending me home with a sample to review.