A little background
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Fall 2025 Edition is an 11-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This sixteenth release in the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series consists of barrels distilled in fall 2014 and bottled in fall 2025. The bourbon is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and carries a suggested retail price of $159.99 for a 750ml bottle. The mash bill comprises 75% corn, 20% wheat, and 5% malted barley, making it a wheated bourbon. As a bottled-in-bond whiskey, it meets strict federal standards requiring the product to be from a single distillery, from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof.
Heaven Hill Distillery acquired the Old Fitzgerald brand in 1999, inheriting a legacy that dates back to its history as a luxury bourbon sold on premium rail lines and steamships. The Fall 2025 edition is packaged in an ornate decanter with a black label—a signature of the brand’s fall releases—and features a tax strip disclosing production and bottling dates. The decanter design pays homage to the original 1950s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, reflecting the brand’s tradition of artistic packaging. Heaven Hill, founded by the Shapira family in 1935, maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses and produces an extensive portfolio of American whiskeys including Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Evan Williams.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn glass)
Color
Dark Gold
Nose
Butterscotch, baking spice, vanilla, caramel, orange citrus, cherry, and oak.
Palate
Brown sugar, baking spice (cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg), dark cherry, vanilla, butterscotch, and oak.
Finish
Milk chocolate, white pepper, leather, oak, and lingering baking spice.
In closing
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Fall 2025 Edition delivers a classic wheated bourbon experience that showcases Heaven Hill’s dedication to traditional bottled-in-bond standards. The nose is the standout feature, offering an inviting bouquet of butterscotch, baking spices, and vanilla that sets high expectations. The palate follows through with familiar bourbon notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, and dark cherry, though the mouthfeel trends lighter than some might expect from an 11-year-old bourbon at this price point. The finish provides pleasant milk chocolate and white pepper notes that fade into lingering baking spice and oak.
While this release doesn’t break new ground in terms of flavor innovation, it represents solid craftsmanship and adheres to the strict bottled-in-bond requirements that have defined this series since its inception. The $159.99 suggested retail price positions this bourbon at the higher end for an 11-year-old expression, though collectors will appreciate the ornate 1950s-inspired decanter that adds display value beyond the liquid itself. For bourbon enthusiasts seeking classic wheated bourbon characteristics in a premium bottled-in-bond format with collectible packaging, Old Fitzgerald Fall 2025 Edition offers a well-executed if not particularly distinctive pour. This release will appeal most to Old Fitzgerald series collectors and those who value traditional bourbon profiles over bold or experimental flavor characteristics.
The Bourbon tasted for this review was provided by Heaven Hill Distillery with no strings attached. We thank them for the opportunity to try and review this product!
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Fall 2025 Edition
The Good
- Excellent Nose
- Classic bourbon flavors
