Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Spring 2018)

5.0 Stars - Outstanding; 20 ml sample This was an absolutely memorable experience. I will forever recall where I was when I tasted this whisky. This is from a premium tasting event in 2019 at my local independent liquor store. Instead of selling or raffling allocated bottles, they organized a tasting to allow the maximum number of people to sample these rare finds. A commendable approach. Aroma is slightly floral. Taste is a wonderful mix of sweet, spicy, leather, and cracked pepper. The finish is long, spicy, and smoky. I had no idea whisky could possess these qualities.

I was fortunate to receive a sample from a friend. It was exciting to taste, and it's a very solid bourbon. My partner commented that it's nearly worth the price (I mentioned it was $150 a bottle), which is a significant compliment. Aroma: prominent caramel and brown sugar initially, followed by solid cinnamon and mint, maple syrup, a hint of peanuts, and some sharp wheat notes. Palate: medium-bodied, spicy, dark caramel, slightly hot, with cinnamon and perhaps a touch of black pepper. Finish: lingering spice with a hint of maple sweetness, moderate heat.

It has a dark amber, brownish color and leaves heavy legs that coat the glass. The aroma is primarily corn, caramel, and charred oak initially, followed by molasses, vanilla, a touch of honey, and dark chocolate. The taste is a fantastic blast of pepper, balanced by caramel, honey, and vanilla, with oak and caramel holding it all together. The finish is long, with spice mingling with caramel and oak that slowly fades, leaving dark chocolate and vanilla behind.

This weekend is a celebration, so I decided to indulge. I've been attempting to locate Old Forester (any age) in local stores without success. Aroma: very sweet — vanilla, frosting, caramel, honey Palate: smooth, sweet, with a bit of caramel apples Finish: a subtle hint of spice/kick (though this might have been influenced by consuming smoked BBQ brisket / burnt ends beforehand, which could have brought out spicier notes) I wouldn't repurchase it unless it was at MSRP, but it's still a very good bourbon. 👍

The aroma suggests an oily, sweet, and rich experience. It presents as an overripe cherry with prominent vanilla notes. Delightful. It's rich, sweet, and smooth, with just enough warmth to be enticing. I advise against adding water, as it doesn't enhance the bourbon's lusciousness enough to justify dilution. Rated 4.4.

Nose: Corn, cinnamon, pepper, salted caramel and honey, with faint apple notes in the glass, and nutty undertones. Palate: Honey is upfront, followed by toasted oak and almonds, with hints of nuts and vanilla extract in the middle, and an almost tart quality. Finish: Chocolate, oak, and pepper. Overall, a good traditional pour that justifies its premium retail price, especially considering the packaging.