Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond: 15 Year (Fall 2019)

A little background

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond is one of the few bottles that can be instantly identified on the shelf. This iconic decanter is inspired from the original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter. This bourbon was first registered in 1884 and was eventually sold to Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle during Prohibition. Pappy moved production of this bourbon to his distillery making Old Fitz the first great Wheated Bourbon. Heaven Hill Purchased the brand in 1999 and moved production to their Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. The Old Fitzgerald decanter series is released once in the fall and once in the spring each year. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 20% wheat, and 5% malted barley. The bourbon is 100 proof and has a varying age statement based on the release date. Currently, this bourbon can be found in 9, 11, 13, and the newly released 15-year-old vintages. The MSRP for Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond 15 Year is $150 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Denver & Liely Bourbon Glass)

Color

Dark Amber

Nose

The nose is pleasant with notes of cherry and rich dark fruit. Vanilla, caramel, and a faint oak spice note are present.

Palate

The first sip has a medium viscosity that coats the entire mouth. Notes of brown sugar, barrel char, caramel, and toasted oak are prominent. The second sip is oily with notes of vanilla, leather, tobacco, and aged oak. A slight Pavlovian response was present after the second sip. The third sip began with a pronounced oak spice note that was followed by caramel, and cherries.

Finish

The finish is long, pleasant, complex, and produced a slight warmth in the chest. A burst of cinnamon transitioned to aged oak, caramel, leather, barrel char, clove, and cherries.

In closing

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond Decanter Series was created as a nod to the history and tradition of Kentucky bourbon. Old Fitzgerald 15-year-old bourbon has an enticing nose filled with fark fruit and cherries. The oily mouthfeel is accompanied by notes of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and cherry. The finish is long pleasant and complex. This bourbon is one of a kind and should be at the top of your wish list.