Today the modern iteration of the company, Heaven Hill Brands, has become a diversified supplier of whiskeys, liqueurs, vodkas, rums and other spirits. They own 57 rickhouses in Central KY and distribute over 48 brands including 17 bourbon labels such as Henry McKenna, Elijah Craig, Evan William, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Rittenhouse rye to name a few.

The distillery also has the largest number of Bottled in Bond whiskies on the market and is the only heritage distiller that features every major category of American whiskey in their 5 distinct mashbills producing traditional bourbon, wheated bourbon, rye whiskey, corn whiskey, and wheat whiskey. Under 7th Master Distiller (and fellow countryman) Conor O’Driscoll the distillery was on course to fill almost 400,000 barrels last year and with continued investment production capacity is growing every year to meet rising demand.

Then, First released in spring of 2018, the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series pays homage to the vibrant history of the Old Fitzgerald brand and John E. Fitzgerald with a bi-annual release of bourbon from Heaven Hill’s wheated mashbill.

Historically, the Old Fitzgerald brand is well-known for the distilling pedigree behind it.

First registered in 1884 by S.C. Therefore, Herbst, it was one of the few American whiskies of its time to be distilled using the pot still method and continuing to do so until around 1913. With the arrival of Prohibition the brand was one of a select few which were allowed to distil under government supervision for the national medicinal trade and was subsequently sold to famous distiller Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle.

Firstly, As a Bottled-in-Bond bourbon this whiskey also meets all the strict requirements of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, i.e. it’s 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.

Vital Stats:

Name: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Spring Edition
Age: 8 y.o.
Proof: 100 proof (50% abv)
Type: Bonded Kentucky straight bourbon
Mashbill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
Producer: Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY
Website: https://heavenhilldistillery.com/old-fitzgerald.php
Glassware: Glencairn

Review of old fitzgerald bourbon

Nose: The nose opens with thick brown sugar syrup, dried cherries, a touch of earthy wheat, and faintly bitter barrel spices. As you nose deeper more red fruits comes out alongside deeper barrel notes of char and tannic oak.Palate: The palate opens with brown sugar & maple syrup notes before wheat grain, earthy baking spices, and tart red fruit notes emerge alongside a touch of spice. Once the spice fades barrel driven notes of cacao, faint cloves, and dark chocolate emerge.Finish: The finish is dry and oak-driven with lingering chocolate, dried red fruit. And tannic spice leading into a warm aftertaste of chocolate, tannic oak, and faint dried cherries.

Overall of old fitzgerald bourbon

So, As the youngest release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond this is a delicious bourbon that captures all the. Flavours I’d expect from this calibre of release and style of whiskey. It’s viscous, complex, strikes a delicious balance between sweet caramels. Red fruits, and charred oak notes.On the palate chocolate oak notes. Really shine through with dark sugar syrups and red fruit notes supporting. Whilst a thrum of spice ties the whole lot together nicely. But In fact. I’d go as far as to say that this is the best Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond I’ve tasted yet.

Even in comparison to the 9.y.o release we saw in Spring 2020 which. Was oak-heavy at the first sip and had considerably more spic. This release hits the ground running from the start and shows why many experts consider. Between 6 and 8 years old to be the sweet spot for bourbon maturation.