Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Review

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond is a bottle, a label and a brand that exudes history. Old Fitz was originally created in 1870 for luxury mass transit (railroad and steamships) and private clubs; John E Fitzgerald obviously had a specific clientele in mind for his product. After 30 years of being only available in “luxury locations” it was brought to the unwashed masses and that’s when its popularity soared.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond

That popularity went undiminished during prohibition as Old Fitz was one of the handful of distilleries allowed to continue distilling through prohibition for “medicinal purposes”. Post prohibition it was acquired by Pappy Van Winkle and was turned into a wheated bourbon and decame their best selling, most recognizable and most protected brand. Stitzel-Weller was closed in ’92 and the brand sold off to Diageo who sold it to Heaven Hill in ’99 who continues to own it today. It’s still a wheated recipe; most of which goes to the Larceny brand these days.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Bonded is 50% ABV and aged for 11 years

In Heaven HIll’s Words: Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond

“Inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the newest packaging will thrill collectors as the brand was traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and sizes. The label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality.” Kentucky’s state seal and a prominent brand banner replicate a pre-Prohibition label. Spring editions will be denoted with a green label and fall editions with a black label. The age will change with each edition and will also be indicated on the bottom of the label.”

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Heaven Hill
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 20% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 11 Years
ABV: 50%

Batch: Spring 2018

Price: $150

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Tasting Notes

EYE
Cherry wood

NOSE
Brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, oak, hazelnut, cinnamon, dried dark fruit, dried citrus peels and peanut brittle.

PALATE
Nuts, orange peel, peanut brittle, oak, cinnamon, vanilla and chalk.

FINISH
Medium -> Caramel syrup, oak, nuts, spice and char.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not fully balanced, full body and a warm dry light syrup feel.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Review: OVERALL

Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond Review

The complex, dark and decadent aroma captured my olfactory and pulled me deeper into the glass. Each sniff was magnificent and I kept sniffing, smelling and exploring until I couldn’t stand it anymore and dove in for a taste and… I was disappointed. The palate was flat and trending towards a single note with the finish trailing in a single rustic line that was dominated by caramel coffee syrup.

This first edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond I’m not a mega fan of… The nose is INCREDIBLE, but the rest just kinda slinks into the background and fades out to a nondescript bourbon syrup. I was honestly hoping for something more along the lines of some of the incredible Rebel Yell 10-Year-Old Single Barrels which have a big bold character through and through.

SCORE: 86/100 (B)