Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Spring 2020)
This Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a glassful of goodness all around. If you’re fond of fruit-forward whiskeys, this is your jam—without being jammy. The mouthfeel is unusually fatty and weighty for a 100 proof wheated bourbon, and that’s a plus.
BOTTLES DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Heaven Hill Distillery
- MASH BILL: 68% Corn | 20% Wheat | 12% Malted Barley
- AGE: 9 Years
- YEAR: 2020
- PROOF: 100 (50% ABV)
- MSRP: $89.99
STEVE'S NOTES
NOSE: Green Caramel Apple | Warm Glazed Donut | Buttered Toast | Dried Orange Peel
TASTE: Butterscotch | Toasted Oak |Orange-Caramel | Lush Mouthfeel
FINISH: Pleasant and Tingly | Warm and Long
SHARE WITH: Everyone who likes bourbon, not just “Wheater only, man,” types.
WORTH THE PRICE: Absolutely.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle if you can find one.
OVERALL: This is a glassful of goodness all around. If you’re fond of fruit-forward whiskeys, this is your jam—without being jammy. The mouthfeel is unusually fatty and weighty for a 100 proof wheated bourbon, and that’s a plus. For anyone who hoped I’d add water and report back, too bad. That ain’t happening. There is zero need to alter this whiskey. It’s perfect as is.
I’ve enjoyed every release—some more than others—of Old Fitzgerald BIB since the longtime 4-year age-stated iteration was replaced and premium versions that are two, three and nearly four times as old. Until receiving this one, my favorite was the 2019 Fall 15-year-old. This one, however, is remarkably good and my favorite of the lot. And at 9 years old, it also contradicts the oft-believed notion that older is better. That it’s about $40 cheaper than its older siblings is a huge and unexpected bonus. Get this if you can.
BRAND NOTES
OLD FITZGERALD BOTTLED-IN-BOND
Each spring and fall, a new edition to the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released. Inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the packaging and series honor both the history of the Old Fitzgerald brand and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree, as the brand was first registered in 1884 and was eventually sold to “Pappy” Van Winkle during Prohibition. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the brand and began distilling it at Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, KY.
Proof: 100 Proof
Age: Varies by Release
Disclaimer: Heaven Hill provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.