Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Spring 2024)

The aroma is initially a bit gritty and grain-forward, with lots of roasted cereal and creamed corn upfront. With time to unwind, silkier notes of butterscotch, vanilla pudding, and peanut butter arrive, but there’s still not a ton of depth.

Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Spring 2024)

BOTTLE DETAILS


DREW'S NOTES


SHARE WITH: Wheated bourbon fans. Those impressed as much by the packaging as they are by the bourbon inside.

WORTH THE PRICE: These younger Old Fitz decanters were well-priced initially, but the admission price has increased over the last couple of years as demand has increased. Heaven Hill released another 10-year-old Old Fitz last spring at the same MSRP as this bottle, so things have at least seemed to level off of late. That said, $140 feels steep for this particular bourbon.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. Heaven Hill fans will want to try this one to see how the series has progressed, but this particular release is better left to the collectors and those needing a fancy gift. There are other Old Fitzes that are more worthy of the home bar.

OVERALL: This latest Old Fitz will find some fans, but it doesn't live up to the standout releases that have recently preceded it. The 25th Anniversary was next-level good (review coming soon), and even the 10-year-old from last spring was exceptional (my bottle went fast!). Compared to that bottle, this latest tweener from Heaven Hill doesn't match up.

The aroma is initially a bit gritty and grain-forward, with lots of roasted cereal and creamed corn upfront. With time to unwind, silkier notes of butterscotch, vanilla pudding, and peanut butter arrive, but there's still not a ton of depth. The palate is similarly distracted early on with quite a bit of sharp oak and barrel char. More enticing flavors eventually emerge, but they are somewhat muted underneath an overly generous spice. Even Heaven Hill describes things as "subtle" in their tasting notes. With patience and some breathing room, notes of well-cooked toffee and RedHots emerge alongside apple sauce liberally doused in freshly grated cinnamon. The finish is warm and peppery, simmering with oak, clove, and menthol.

Past Old Fitzes have set the bar high, and this just didn't quite clear it. It's still a good bourbon, but it does require a splash of water and some time to relax and pull itself together. Will things return to form with the fall release? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I'd recommend tasting this one at someone else's bar.

BRAND NOTES


The Spring 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright copper color, with a nose of butterscotch and toasted oak along with dried roses and floral notes. The taste is subtle on the palate with honey sweetness and notes of aromatic herbs and green tea. Its finish is rich and herbal with notes of cardamon and nutmeg followed by hints of white pepper and oak char at the end.


Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.


Leaving Laphroaig…and Islay Behind

Barry MacAffer is leaving Laphroaig Distillery and his native Islay for a new adventure: building a malt whisky distillery in South Korea. This week on… Read More

Barry MacAffer is leaving Laphroaig Distillery and his native Islay for a new adventure: building a malt whisky distillery in South Korea. This week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, Barry tells us why he’s making the move now and what he’ll miss most about Islay. In the news, the threat of tariffs hangs over the whisky industry again as the U.S. Presidential election heats up, another new distillery is in the works for Scotland, and Rosebank Distillery opens its doors to visitors for the first time. 

Episode 1060: June 9, 2024

Links: Laphroaig | Brown-Forman | Stock Spirits | Rosebank Distillery | James B. Beam Distilling Co. | Green River Bourbon | Knob Creek | FEW Spirits | J. Rieger & Co. | Crown Royal | Highland Park | Aberfeldy | Bunnahabhain | Fettercairn | High Coast Distillery | Old Fitzgerald | Never Say Die

15 Years of Texas Whiskey

Texas is booming as a whiskey region, with distilleries all over the Lone Star State. That history only goes back about 15 years, when pioneers… Read More

Texas is booming as a whiskey region, with distilleries all over the Lone Star State. That history only goes back about 15 years, when pioneers like Balcones Distilling and Garrison Brothers started out. During the recent 15th anniversary celebrations at Balcones, Texas Whiskey Festival co-founder Jake Clements moderated a panel (and tasting) on the first 15 years of Texas whiskey. We’re bringing you that discussion this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, with panelists Jared Himstedt of Balcones, Dan Garrison of Garrison Brothers, Ironroot Republic’s Robert Likarish, and Ty Phelps of Andalusia Whiskey. In the news, The Lakes Distillery in England is being sold, while Edrington is selling off its Noble Oak American Whiskey brand.

Episode 1051: April 7: 2024

Links: Balcones Distilling | Garrison Brothers Distilling | Ironroot Republic Distilling | Andalusia Whiskey | The Lakes Distillery | Noble Oak | Highland Park | Gordon & MacPhail | Old Fitzgerald | Orphan Barrel | Booker’s Bourbon | Whiskey JYPSI | 2XO Whiskey | High West | Kavalan | High N’ Wicked | Torabhaig Distillery | Dewar’s

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces the Release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition

After the catastrophic fire at the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in November 1996, Heaven Hill acquired the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville in April 1999. The barrels used for this release were produced in September 1999, emptied in March 2013 and bottled in February 2024. 

This edition is just the third release in the VVS (Very Very Special) line of the Decanter Series

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces the Release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition

Heaven Hill has announced the release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition commemorating the anniversary of Heaven Hill acquiring the historic Bernheim Distillery (DSP-KY-1) in Louisville, Ky and along with it the Old Fitzgerald brand. Comprised of 13-year-old barrels, this edition ushers in the latest release to the decanter series and adds to Heaven Hill Distillery’s bottled-in-bond legacy.

After the catastrophic fire at the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in November 1996, Heaven Hill acquired the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville in April 1999. The barrels used for this release were produced in September 1999, emptied in March 2013 and bottled in February 2024.  When these barrels were tested in 2013, it was decided that the taste profile at 13 years old was exceptional and the profile would be reserved for a special occasion, such as this 25th Anniversary Edition. Thirteen is also a lucky number for Heaven Hill, as the company filled its first barrel ever on December 13, 1935.  

 “The Bernheim Distillery became the lifeblood of Heaven Hill after the setback from the fire and has been ever since,” said Executive Chairman Max Shapira. “We are honored to have been able to continue the Old Fitzgerald legacy since that time and look forward to many more years of exceptional releases from Bernheim Distillery and from the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery set to open early next year.”

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series is comprised of three types of releases: Spring, Fall and VVS. This special edition is denoted by a maroon label. Since 2018, there have only ever been two other VVS releases, including VVS 2018 14-year-old and VVS 2020 16-year-old. The 2024 edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis as an exclusive Kentucky release to select retailers and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, Ky. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. This edition is available at the suggested retail price of $229.99.

The liquid within this release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series bares a bright burnished copper color, with a rich and warm nose of cinnamon toast followed by nutmeg and allspice with sweet oak notes. On the palate rich honey and vanilla sweetness are balanced by notes of baking spices. The finish is soft and warm with hints of oak and a gentle peppery finale.

The legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald, whose legacy is also heralded by the Larceny Bourbon brand. Both brands use Heaven Hill’s wheated bourbon mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley.

A New Future for Single Cask Nation

The week’s top story was the sale of the independent bottler Single Cask Nation to the Artisanal Spirits Company, which also owns the Scotch Malt… Read More

The week’s top story was the sale of the independent bottler Single Cask Nation to the Artisanal Spirits Company, which also owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The two bottlers will co-exist under one corporate umbrella, with SCN founders Joshua Hatton and Jason Johnstone-Yellin remaining in charge. We’ll talk with them on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, there’s new life planned for a long-closed Speyside distillery and the winners of the 2023 John Barleycorn Awards have been announced. 

Episode 1038: January 7, 2024

Links: Single Cask Nation | The Whisky Resort | John Barleycorn Awards | Traveller Whiskey | Larceny Bourbon | Old Fitzgerald | Heriot-Watt University

Photo courtesy Single Cask Nation.

Is the Luxury Whisky Investment Market Softening?

Whisky has become more attractive as an investment asset in recent years, but a new report indicates the value of luxury whiskies has declined over… Read More

Whisky has become more attractive as an investment asset in recent years, but a new report indicates the value of luxury whiskies has declined over the past year. We’ll talk with the report’s author, Duncan McFadzean of Scotland’s Noble & Company, on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, lots of hardware was handed out at this week’s awards ceremonies in Scotland and Ireland, and we’ll have the details. Chivas Brothers faces strikes by its union workers next week, and there’s less than a month left before American whiskies face European import tariffs again.

Episode 1033: December 3, 2023

Links: Noble & Company | Scottish Whisky Awards | Icons of Whisky Ireland | Irish Whiskey Awards | Midleton Distillery Experience | Remy Cointreau | Pernod Ricard | Chivas Brothers | Old Fitzgerald | Jack Daniel’s | Fuji Whisky | Deanston | Cedar Ridge Distillery | Midleton Very Rare | Waterford Whisky | Adelphi | Lindores Abbey

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2023 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

The Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright burnished copper color, with a nose of brown sugar and toasted bread in addition to cinnamon and nutmeg.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2023 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the release of the Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 8 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in Fall 2015, the twelfth national release ushers in the latest edition to the decanter series which adds to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the Fall edition is denoted by a black label. As was the case for the past editions, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. This edition is available at the suggested retail price of $109.99.

The Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright burnished copper color, with a nose of brown sugar and toasted bread in addition to cinnamon and nutmeg. The taste is smooth on the palate beginning with notes of peaches and cream, followed by peppery spice and caramel sweetness. Spice notes linger in the finish along with peach and pear notes and a caramelized brown sugar finale.

“As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium product within this special class which showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio,” said Conor O’ Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “The Fall 2023 8-year-old Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond has the best qualities of a classic Kentucky Bourbon with the unique sweetness and spice this beloved brand is known for.” 

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, whose legacy is also heralded by the Larceny Bourbon brand.

Elijah Craig Ryder Cup Limited Edition Highlights Week’s New Releases

Heaven Hill is leveraging its partnership with this year’s Ryder Cup with a new version of Elijah Craig Bourbon. The Bourbon is finished in European… Read More

Heaven Hill is leveraging its partnership with this year’s Ryder Cup with a new version of Elijah Craig Bourbon. The Bourbon is finished in European Oak barrels that were toasted with a profile similar to that used in Italy’s Lazio wine region near where the Ryder Cup will be contested next month. The commemorative bottling is a one-time only release that will carry a recommended retail price of $99.99 a bottle.

Heaven Hill has also released the Spring 2023 batch of Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon….this whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2013, and the 10-year-old Bourbon carries a recommended retail price of $139.99.

Hemingway Whiskey Company has unveiled the new Signature Edition of Hemingway Rye Whiskey. The whiskey comes from the Call family, which sourced and blended the whiskey to be finished in rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry Casks. Look for tasting notes soon at the WhiskyCast web site.

We featured the revival of Rosebank Distillery on the show a couple of weeks ago, and Rosebank has now released a 30-year-old bottling exclusively for the Asian market. It’s the first expression in Rosebank’s Revival Series, with a total of six expressions to be released in the coming years. Only 800 bottles are available in Asia, with a recommended price of $86,000 Taiwanese dollars…about $2700 U.S. dollars at current exchange rates.

Tomintoul Distillery has released a new travel retail exclusive series of whiskies inspired by the Cairngorms National Park that surrounds the distillery. The lineup includes the Tundra Bourbon Cask and Tor Oloroso Sherry cask bottlings, along with the Tarn peated single malt. Prices range from £40 for the Tundra to £55 for the Tor. The collection is available at World Duty Free airport shops worldwide.

Finally, Brooklyn’s Widow Jane Distillery has rolled out its Paradigm Rye nationally in the U-S after a soft launch in key markets. It’s the first nationally available Widow Jane release that includes whiskey distilled at the Widow Jane Distillery in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood.

It’s bottled at 46-point-5 percent ABV, and carries a recommended retail price of 49-99 a bottle…I tasted this whiskey last year when it was first released, and you can find my tasting notes for it at WhiskyCast dot com.

This story was published August 14, 2023.

Whisky and Music Come Together in Rhythm & Booze Records

Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re… Read More

Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re combining an independent record label with an independent bottler and making whiskies to match their music, which can be streamed using a QR code on each bottle. We’ll talk with Felipe Schrieberg on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth and share tasting notes for their debut release, Rhythm & Booze Records Release #1. In the news, Molson Coors has acquired Blue Run Spirits to expand its presence in the whisky business, and we’ll talk with David Coors and Blue Run’s Mike Montgomery about the deal. David Beckham is splitting with Diageo’s Haig Club Scotch Whisky brand, and there’s a new Elijah Craig Bourbon out to celebrate next month’s Ryder Cup.

Episode 1017: August 13, 2023

Links: Rhythm & Booze Records | Coors Whiskey Company | Knight Frank | Haig Club | The Drinks Business | Beam Suntory | Laphroaig | Maker’s Mark | Elijah Craig | Old Fitzgerald | Hemingway Whiskeys | Rosebank | Tomintoul | Widow Jane | Jack Daniel’s

Photo courtesy The Rhythm & Booze Project.

The Bourbon Raffle Hits Its Stride.

Charitable organizations have held raffles forever, but usually for a low ticket price and for modest items, especially when compared to silent and live auction items.  In the bourbon world, though, raffle item value has been increasing, and now 2023 is taking shape as…

Charitable organizations have held raffles forever, but usually for a low ticket price and for modest items, especially when compared to silent and live auction items.  In the bourbon world, though, raffle item value has been increasing, and now 2023 is taking shape as the year of the bourbon raffle.

Not only have more bourbon raffles been launched so far this year than we typically see in an entire year, but we’re also beginning to see multiple lots available for each raffle ticket purchased, instead of just a single bottle or a vertical of particular brand.  Some current raffles have enough high-value items that they could have been run as an auction.

Does this signify donor fatigue with traditional silent and live bourbon auctions?  Or does it reflect the incredible need for planning, volunteer hours, and expense associated with auctions compared to raffles?

Holding a raffle is incredibly simple and it’s a method that donors trust, even though they understand that the chances of winning are slim.  A raffle also evens the playing field by giving access to small donors who would be outbid in an auction, but who still want to donate.  On the other hand, from the fundraising standpoint, a raffle abandons the psychological component of competitiveness in bidding, the element of FOMO, and getting caught up in the moment.

Depending on how much is raised, the current impressive raffles might set the stage for a transition away from auctions.  In many silent and live auctions, bidding slows to a crawl when FMV has been met, except for a handful of items that are particularly unique and the crowd has people who want to support the cause.  So long as a raffle is priced correctly, a charity could easily double or triple the value of the items if they are able to market the raffle broadly enough to sell the right number of tickets.  Lack of successful, targeted marketing for a raffle, though, will quickly result in doom for fundraising.

In the spirit of helping charities sell tickets, for anyone able and interested in donating, here are three bourbon raffles that I’m supporting:

  1. The “Kentucky Bourbon Raffle” https://www.kentuckybourbonraffle.org/bourbon.  This might be the biggest bourbon raffle ever.  It benefits a cause near and dear to me—Educational Justice.  Tickets are $100 each, with a maximum of 2,000 available.  Each ticket gives you a chance at one of 22 tremendous lots—ranging from an entire barrel to a variety of rare and highly sought after bottles.  Winners will be selected on June 23, 2023.
  2. Pennyrile Habitat for Humanity https://www.pennyrilehabitat.org/bourbonraffle.  Western Kentucky still hasn’t recovered from the 2021 tornado and folks still need help.  Pappy raffles have become commonplace, but not this kind of Pappy raffle.  This raffle includes rare, vintage bottles, including a Japanese export and an otherwise unobtainable private selection.  Cost per ticket is $100 for a chance at three separate lots.  The maximum number of tickets seems high at 6,000, but it’s a great cause.  Three winners will be selected on May 5, 2023.
  3. The Kentucky Humane Society https://one.bidpal.net/wellercollection/welcome.  I’ve supported KHS for decades and have my fingers crossed to win a complete Weller lineup.  The ticket price is also $100, but only 500 tickets will be sold, so your chances are much better for the money.  A winner will be selected on May 4, 2023.

Will bourbon raffles supplant bourbon auctions?  Let me know in the comments, and best of luck!