Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Fall 2021)

This latest Old Fitz bottling has many positive aspects, though it demanded some patience. Having previously enjoyed the OF15 and OF8, I'm using this 11-year-old to compare. Both previous bottles were excellent and displayed significant character and taste. I was eager to discover what 11 years would bring. Initially, the aroma is quite spicy and caramel-forward, and the palate mirrors this, with the finish showing the most promise. I sensed there was more depth. After struggling with the first sip and allowing it time to settle, aerate, and relax in the glass, I brought the Glencairn to my nose again. It was like a completely different bourbon. The bakery sweetness is much more evident now, with M&M blondies, vanilla frosting, and caramel apple cake prominent in the aroma. It also presents spices like cinnamon and clove, fruits such as red grape juice and brambly berry compote, and oak characteristics of leather, char, and sweet tobacco. This aroma exhibits remarkable balance after the initial letdown. It's an ideal age for bourbon, showcasing everything. The texture is viscous and coats the mouth with deliciousness on the second sip. Chewy soft caramels, cinnamon toast crunch, apricots, vanilla frosting, charred oak, and sweet tobacco are present, followed by more sweet toasted oak, leather, and vanilla frosting on the exceptionally long finish. Allow this one some time if you acquire a bottle. I'm genuinely looking forward to tasting it again in a few weeks to see if it continues to evolve favorably. In my opinion, Old Fitz truly excelled with their 2021 releases; both the 8 and this 11-year-old are outstanding.

Enjoyed at a bar on a warm, humid evening filled with pollen. Poured neat into a highball. The aroma took time to develop in the environment but reminded me of a younger bourbon with a lot of corn. For me, wheated bourbons often taste similar; I'd struggle to tell this apart from Larceny. It has a light body with corn and wheat flavors like cereal, a touch of cherry and ripe banana, plus some butterscotch sweetness and a hint of char. There's an unusual coating sensation on the finish, featuring kettle corn, tobacco, and French vanilla ice cream. That ending is surprisingly better than the initial taste. Verdict: This specific bottling doesn't excite me. I know it's a popular choice from that distillery, but it seems like the fancy container is more impressive than the spirit itself. While other versions might be superior, I'd be quite unhappy paying even the suggested retail price of over $100, let alone secondary market prices.

This bottle was fantastic. The 11-year BIB was an ideal vessel for this expression. I think it's worth the MSRP, perhaps up to $60-$80 more. The aroma and taste change and develop every minute, offering significant depth. The finish is quite long and very pleasant. It drinks very smoothly and has a full, rich mouthfeel. I would definitely buy it again!

Aroma: A bit funky with subtle caramel notes. Taste: Rich vanilla accompanied by a good amount of oak and char. Finish: Lingering with more oak and a touch of tannin. While I generally enjoy Old Fitzgerald's Bottled in Bond decanter series, this particular one is good enough to live up to its name, but it's not quite to my personal preference.

A decent wheated bourbon. I sampled this alongside Maker's 46 cask strength and preferred the latter's richer flavor. This pour is similar to other Old Fitzgerald bottlings I've tried. It's not particularly remarkable or complex, but it's a well-rounded, approachable whiskey.

Nose - Tobacco, bready, savory, peppers. I really enjoy this scent; it's very distinctive and still somewhat sweet. Palate - Definitely peppery, with abundant notes of peppers, caramel, and pastry. This is delicious. Finish - The finish echoes the palate and is a delight.