Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Fall 2018)

Aroma - Pleasant, well-rounded vanilla caramels, with hints of cherry and chocolate mint. Flavor - Light oak and vanilla caramels, subtly drying sweet mint, cinnamon warmth, and a hint of burnt cinnamon stick. Finish - Lingering light oaky caramel, faint bitter mint/fruit stems, and a trace of fresh cherry sweetness. Overall Thoughts - The satisfying sound the decanter makes when opened is remarkable. The bourbon itself is quite good, with a very pleasing aroma dominated by gentle vanilla caramel and a hint of cherry. This soft vanilla caramel carries through to the palate, though sadly the cherry and chocolate mint from the nose are barely noticeable until the finish, where they briefly reappear before fading. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Maybe another edition?

Nose: Brown sugar, caramel, warm vanilla, deep wood, marshmallow, butter popcorn. Palate: Creme brulee, leather, the oak notes are very prominent, there's a light berry hint that comes through on the finish, with vanilla cream, concluding in very brief spice. Thoughts: A beautiful bourbon that, given its impressive bottle, rich history, and limited availability, leaves a little something to be desired. The nose and palate are both great, with many rich flavors, particularly butter and caramel. Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment is the decidedly short finish. It seems to last only a moment before vanishing. It took me a few sips to truly grasp this bourbon and all its characteristics. A nice bottle to have in a collection, and a treat when you get to experience it.

Brief thoughts: Corn in the nasal passage, varnished wood. The burn is intense going down. Tastes of black pepper, barrel char, peanut powder. A trace of cinnamon/rye spice. There are some smoother caramel and marzipan notes; like circus peanuts? Bitterness of caraway seed and black licorice. The finish is purely peanut and wood char. A metallic sharpness is present, but only after the rest of your palate is seared. The burn persists, similar to consuming a slice of extremely hot pizza too rapidly. Every bit of that 100 proof clings to the lips; honestly, my lips are numb. I would like to explore this one further, as I'm sure I'm not giving it full justice; this spirit could easily cut through any cocktail.

This one has a faint, aged aroma. I couldn't quite get a solid impression of it. The final serving from a 2018 bottle might have been past its prime. It was certainly very velvety. I'll try it again with a fresher sample. My scoring system is as follows: A score of 5 is used by the producer, while I use a scale of 10. You're probably not too intoxicated to figure out the conversion! 1. Awful - So unpleasant I discarded it. 2. Unacceptable - I would avoid drinking this. 3. Flawed - Noticeable imperfections. 4. Underwhelming - Not terrible, but I prefer other options. 5. Acceptable - Just okay. 6. Nice - Above the middle of the road. 7. Excellent - Significantly better than average. 8. Superb - In a class by itself. 9. Amazing - A top-tier selection for me. 10. Flawless

Nose: Sweet caramel, dried grapes, tart apples, vanilla, lemon, and molasses. Palate: Vanilla cream, nutty notes, lemon, molasses, honey, and hints of lavender or wildflowers. Finish: A medium, smooth finish with pleasant traces of nuts, citrus, and lightly charred wood. This is excellent. I'm sure all Old Fitz bottlings are great. The aroma is pleasant and intricate, featuring sweet citrus and pronounced molasses. The taste starts with a sweet vanilla cream, followed by peanut butter and lemon citrus. The finish has a smooth texture that lingers for a decent duration, though it could be extended. The 2013 and 2015 editions are superior, but the 2009 bottling remains superb and is a choice I'd make regularly.

The aroma is rich with charred oak and baking spices that can be assertive. Vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, leather, and hints of ripe fruit and peanuts follow, all in good balance. The oak and baking spices are prominent on the palate, creating a slightly dry and chewy texture, complemented by sweeter notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel, with pleasant peanut flavors and a touch of smoke appearing at the end. The finish is medium-long, with lingering spice and oak as the other palate flavors recede.