Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Spring 2020)

The Old Fitzgerald bourbon brand, established in 1884, was once a top seller before Prohibition. After operations ceased, Julian Van Winkle acquired the trademark, switching the mash bill to wheat and producing it at the Stitzel-Weller distillery. Stitzel-Weller, now an aging facility and tourist spot, still bears the Old Fitzgerald logo on many structures. Heaven Hill purchased the brand in 1999. The name's origin story reveals marketing tactics aren't new; it was supposedly named after John E. Lawrence, a distiller who allegedly sold bourbon to exclusive clients. However, research suggests Lawrence was a Treasury Department agent who stole bourbon from Charle Herbst's warehouses, leading to barrels being called 'Fitzgerald barrels.' Naming the brand after him was an inside joke, and in 2012, Heaven Hill created Larceny bourbon in memory of Lawrence's thievery. Heaven Hill releases Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond editions each spring and fall in decanters resembling 1950s styles, with ornate tax strips and labels indicating age. These bourbons follow the 1897 Bottled In Bond Act, requiring single distillery, single season production, a minimum of four years aging, and 100 proof bottling. This Spring 2020 release, aged 9 years, cost $90, aligning with Heaven Hill's pricing of $10 per aged year, like the $150 15-year bottling. The nose is initially subtle, developing into notes of leather, caramel, and deep oak char, with hints of hay and apple in the background. The palate has a syrupy, almost chewy texture that is quite enjoyable, though a large sip can be overpowering. Butterscotch pudding and vanilla complement leather and butter notes. The finish features prominent oak and cinnamon. Despite being an easy sipper, this 100 proof spirit delivers a slight kick. This bottling, like attending the Masters, has fully met expectations. While personal preference for wheated and bottled-in-bond bourbons may influence this, it offers a remarkably satisfying and enjoyable experience. This 9-year Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond is rated a 9 out of 10.

The nose starts with a smooth burst of charred oak, touches of ripe fruit, vanilla, brown sugar and touches of leather. It has a nice depth to it as it quickly evolves into something creamy, very dessert like. The palate is somewhat chewy and rich, filling the corners of the mouth with a great mix of baking spices, oak and vanilla, while a slight wave of ripe fruit washes over the tongue. The flavors converge rather than being distinct, giving you a very full experience with every sip. There is a certain weight to it, whereas trying to identify each note, this is meant to just take it all as one. It is very dessert like, leaving you incredibly satisfied with every sip. The finish is medium long and slightly oaky, there is a lingering spice and chew to it that keeps it alive. Perhaps the oak could be a bit stronger, but overall it works pretty nicely for what it is. It would also be nice for the creamier notes to be more prominent, but as is this is a nice treat.

Let's talk about this bottle first. Can you honestly say you don't want to taste what's inside this beauty? It has the look you'd expect on a VIP's shelf back in the 60s! Enough about the container; let's get to the contents. The aroma is all vanilla and toffee. I think I could just smell this glass for a while and enjoy the evening without taking a drink. But who am I kidding? Of course, I'm going to drink it! The first taste is initially gentle on the tongue with more vanilla, but a pleasant brown sugar and cinnamon warmth quickly builds before settling into a lengthy caramel finish. At $150, it's expensive, but damn, it's amazing. Vanilla and caramel are present throughout. I seldom give high marks to pricey spirits because they don't meet expectations. This will be an exception, and I'd happily pay $150 again for another bottle.

🥃 - Old Fitzgerald BiB 9 year Spring 2011 Alcohol Content - 100 / 50% Sweetness - 7 / 10 very pleasant sweetness combined with some earthiness. Dryness - 4 / 10 a nice smooth texture that coats the palate but isn't overly rich. Burn - 3 / 10 a gentle, warm sensation. Minimal burn but a lasting warmth. Flavors - cherry, oak, peanuts, caramel, and chocolate initially, shifting to vanilla and brown sugar with toasted nuts at the finish. Bud’s rating - 7.5 / 10. I feel incredibly fortunate to have acquired a bottle at the retail price when Pennsylvania released it! It's an exceptionally smooth, mellow, and easy-to-drink bourbon. It offers a great blend of sweetness and earthy notes. I truly enjoy some of the distinct flavors, and the moderate alcohol content makes it a fantastic pour. I would be eager to try other variations!

Nose - Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, with hints of apple peels and cherries Taste - Caramel, cherry-vanilla, cinnamon spice, leather, chocolate Finish - Caramel, cherry chocolates, cherry-vanilla coke syrup, oak, a gentle cinnamon tingle Score - 90/100 Final Thoughts - This is a solid bourbon with nothing disagreeable about it. It presents fairly standard bourbon characteristics like vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon, but it also features some enjoyable notes of chocolate and cherry that appear and disappear. It's a good bourbon and worth the price I paid, but certainly not worth inflated secondary market prices. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Possibly Would I buy a bottle? - Yes NOTE - All reviews are based solely on the product, not considering price.

The scent has a lingering ethanol note for a bit, with some faint vanilla and oak. It's a little dull initially, then some mild spice appears, followed by a flavor I can't quite identify yet, which makes it difficult to truly appreciate. I'll see how it is when the bottle is half empty. But for now, it doesn't have a flavor that justifies the price. I returned to it after a month. Well... it actually tastes decent now, and that ethanol smell is almost entirely gone. The bottle is a little more than half full, and I guess some air has significantly improved the flavor. $90... well... it's a nice bottle. I'm always learning. Give the bottle some time to open up, and the taste might surprise you. (Still hoping my Yamazaki tastes better)