Friday night, in a quiet Northwest suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, I sat on my couch, engrossed in the evening news. Unexpectedly, my phone rang, and it was my dear friend Sebastian on the line.
His urgency was palpable, urging me to come over to his house immediately. He had something truly extraordinary in store for me. As I arrived, he led me down to his impressive man cave, where an awe-inspiring collection of rare, hard-to-find whiskeys awaited.
Emerging from the depths, Sebastian presented none other than Old Fitzgerald 10. My grin stretched as wide as the open plains. The allure of Old Fitzgerald 10, much like other elusive whiskey gems, was almost mythical in my neck of the woods.
Yet, Sebastian possessed a unique talent for unearthing such treasures. I’ll delve into this remarkable talent in a future blog post, but for now, join me on this journey as I unveil my review of Old Fitzgerald 10-year.
Introduction
Since its inception in 2018, Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series has captivated connoisseurs with its exquisite blend of Kentucky bourbon and stunning decanters.
Each release, adhering to the bottled-in-bond standards, showcases the current Old Fitz wheated mash bill, spanning an age range from 8 to 19 years. The question that lingers with each 100-proof release remains: Can the liquid inside match the grandeur of its super-premium packaging?
Before diving into our review, let’s explore why Heaven Hill regards Old Fitzgerald as one of its most esteemed, sought-after, and nowadays, expensive offerings. This storied brand, with origins dating back to the late 1800s, has changed hands over the years, with its most iconic association being with Pappy Van Winkle.
Since Heaven Hill acquired it in 1999, they’ve been distilling Old Fitzgerald at their Bernheim facility, infusing new life into an already revered name. The fusion of “Old Fitz” with these opulent bourbon decanters has only heightened its allure, making them coveted and allocated bottles, though we’ve observed flavor variations from batch to batch.
Old Fitzgerald 10-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond: Stats and Availability
The suggested retail price for Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series releases can fluctuate. The 10-year expression by Heaven Hill is listed at $140 for a 750-milliliter bottle. However, being a limited, allocated release, it often commands a higher price in the market, sometimes two or more times the MSRP.
Tasting Notes
As customary with Whiskeytasteful whiskey reviews, we conducted our tasting of Old Fitzgerald 10 Year in a Glencairn glass, allowing it to rest for a minimum of five minutes.
Nose
The aroma is an immediate sensation of Concord grape and a medley of spices: cinnamon, allspice, clove, and both black and white pepper. While there’s an undertone of green apple, the spices gradually dominate the senses, creating an intricate olfactory experience.
With each revisit to the glass, the spice becomes more pronounced, almost to the point of numbing, yet not due to ethanol but rather the abundance of spices unfolding in waves and layers.
Upon closer inspection, the spices branch into two directions. Alongside the traditional baking spices, there’s a burst of chili powder and Szechuan peppercorn that leaves a subtle tingling sensation. In comparison to some recent decanter expressions, particularly the 17 and 19-year releases of 2022, this Old Fitzgerald lacks some of the oaky, charred sweetness.
Taste
While the nose is dominated by spice, the initial sip shifts the focus to oak. It delivers a subdued, layered sweetness, with hints of honey and caramel, evolving into molasses as it envelops the mid-palate and the back of the tongue. This bourbon exhibits its age gracefully, with a healthy dose of wood sugars and barrel influence, skillfully avoiding the pitfalls of excessive oakiness. Pulling the barrels at the 10-year mark strikes a harmonious balance on oak tannins.
On subsequent sips, the elusive grape note becomes faint, giving way to dried fruit, particularly prunes. While the taste is milder than the nose suggests, it still carries a rich blend of allspice, clove, and pepper, offering complexity and depth, albeit slightly more nuanced.
Finish
The woody sweetness on the palate transitions into a mid-length finish, aptly suited for a 100-proof bourbon. It embodies the classic oak-meets-brown-sugar sweetness that characterizes most releases in this series, offering a comforting familiarity. The oak presence, just right for a 10-year-old bourbon, doesn’t overpower but instead complements the overall experience. It’s a combination that leaves the palate craving more complexity, enticing you to savor each drop.
Rating: 95/100
Conclusion
Following the exceptional Fall 2022 release, the Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series steps back in both age and complexity with the 10-year expression. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessors, it stands as an enjoyable pour in its own right. Its characteristics gradually unfold in the glass, offering a nuanced and deep experience. As always, it’s best savored in the company of friends, and perhaps alongside a delightful dessert.
This Old Fitzgerald 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond presents a balanced profile that appeals to both seasoned enthusiasts and those embarking on their whiskey journey. It’s a testament to the legacy of the Old Fitzgerald brand and its enduring charm in the world of bourbon.
If you’re in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Twin Cities area and share a passion for this remarkable spirit, be sure to check out our group “Whiskey Casual 1863” for more information and the opportunity to socialize over this amazing whiskey.
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