Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review

 

Old Fitzgerald is a brand with a long, storied history. It harkens back to 1870 when S.C. Herbst, a Milwaukee-based rectifier, created the brand exclusively for private clubs, rail, and steamship lines. It wasn’t until 1900 that it became a mainstream Bourbon that anyone could purchase.

 

One of the things that sets Old Fitzgerald (or Old Fitz) apart from many is that whereas many American whiskeys are column distilled, Old Fitz is pot distilled. As such, it was considered a premium Bourbon. According to respected Bourbon historian Michael Veach, Herbst originally contracted to distill with Old Taylor and others while advertising that Old Fitz was the last pot-distilled Bourbon in production. In the 1890s, his label included a picture of a pot still to emphasize the point.

 

When the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was implemented, Herbst purchased an existing distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, and began distilling Old Fitz in-house. And then, Prohibition hit. Herbst sold both the brand and his still-aging Bourbon to none other than Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle! That allowed the brand to continue as a medicinal whiskey. However, the Old Fitz stocks soon ran dry, and Van Winkle, along with Arthur P. Stitzel, obtained approval to distill Old Fitz to replenish those stocks (again, for medicinal purposes).

 

That’s when the recipe changed from a traditional Bourbon mashbill to a Stitzel wheated one. Once A. Ph. Stitzel and W.L. Weller & Sons merged, they built a distillery in Shivley called Stitzel-Weller, and Old Fitz became its flagship Bourbon. Old Fitz was only sold as a Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon; one was four years and the other eight.

 

Old Fitz, along with all of Stitzel-Weller, was sold to Norton-Simon in 1972. In 1984, Norton-Simon was acquired by Distiller’s Limited Corp. (which has undergone several name changes and is now known as Diageo). In 1999, Old Fitz was purchased by Heaven Hill Brands, its current owner.

 

Initially, Old Fitz seemed to be an afterthought for Heaven Hill. It was a bottom-shelf dweller. Then, in 2012, Heaven Hill created Larceny, which essentially replaced Old Fitz while converting Old Fitz to a limited-edition Bourbon.

 

Since then, Old Fitz has developed an almost cult following, occasionally releasing several well-aged Bonded Bourbons in beautiful decanters that command a substantial price tag. Its newest offering is Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond, available at a far more accessible price point.   

 

"Seven years proved to be a sweet spot for a Whiskey that already transcends expectations for a wheated Bourbon. This refined Bourbon carries the same layered elegance its longer-aged sibling made famous, and the same commitment to excellence found in every bottle from Heaven Hill Distillery. It was pulled from the barrels at just the right time to appeal to a wide array of palates, making it the ideal Bourbon for a new generation of Old Fitzgerald fans." - Conor O'Driscoll, Master Distiller

 

Thanks to Heaven Hill Brands, I’m able to #DrinkCurious and provide my no-strings-attached, honest review for your consumption. Let’s get started, shall we?

 

Whiskey Type: Bourbon

Distiller: Heaven Hill

Age: 7 years

Mashbill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley

Cooperage: New, 53-gallon #3-charred oak barrels

Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)

Price per 700mL: $59.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to sip this Bourbon neat. The brassy liquid created a thicker rim and released husky, widely-spaced, fast tears.

 

Nose: After allowing Old Fitz to breathe for ten or so minutes, I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and explored the aroma. It consisted of honey, brown sugar, cherries, pastries, and vanilla. I pulled the air into my mouth and discovered nougat.

 

Palate: Old Fitz 7-Year had an incredibly thick, creamy texture. The front of my palate encountered brown sugar, vanilla, and nougat. Flavors of dried leather and tobacco, along with a hint of honey, hit my mid-palate. Tastes of oak spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg grabbed the back of my palate and hung on.

 

Finish: Bold oak spice, leather, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, and cinnamon produced a slow-building, incredibly long-lasting finish. I timed it at 3:14. The roof of my mouth was tingling.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I still have the original Heaven Hill Old Fitz Bottled in Bond Bourbon. I took a sip, and these are two very different whiskeys. The old had more of a brownish hue and a far less pronounced nose. While the mouthfeel was soft, much like a typical wheater, it was thin. The palates were like night at day, with the older offering mostly nuts and spice, and there was a slightly bitter quality on the finish.

 

I found the 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond superior in every way imaginable. It is well-balanced and potent, drinking slightly higher than its stated proof. I very much enjoyed it, and for the money, I believe Heaven Hill delivers a pleasurable experience. All of that adds up to my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.