This week, Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release of their Spring 2023 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. And if you're someone who keeps tabs on annual releases, you might know this is one of the more awaited ones.

So, what's the scoop? This year's release is 10 years old and sports a green label. The wheated bourbon had its barrels filled during the Spring season of 2013, between January and June to be precise. Fast forward 10 years, and here we have it bottled for us in Spring 2023.

A bit of a flashback: The Old Fitzgerald line has a rich history. After being acquired by Heaven Hill in 1999, it's garnered attention not just for its quality but also the intriguing backstory linked to John E. Fitzgerald, whose legacy is also celebrated by the Larceny Bourbon brand.

Now, for those of you collecting these, this is the eleventh release from the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series. True to its tradition, this bourbon comes in a beautifully detailed decanter. And for those who appreciate the finer details, the tax strip on the bottle, a hallmark of bottled-in-bond products, states when the bourbon was produced and when it was bottled.

A highlight for many is the good value that this series tends to offer. The age of bourbons in this series fluctuates a bit, typically falling between 9 to 15 years. Last November, they released the oldest ever in this series, a a 19-year-old Old Fitzgerald, which some worried might taste too over-oaked because of its age, but it turned out to be rather well-received.

And just to clear up what 'bottled-in-bond' means for those new to the term: it's a US Federal government-approved guarantee that the bourbon is from a single distillery, from one distilling season, has been aged for at least four years, and is bottled at 100 proof (or 50% alcohol by volume).

For those looking to get their hands on this edition, it's pegged at a suggested retail price of US$139.99. 

Official Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright burnished copper

Nose: Brown sugar, molasses, light baking spices with orange peel

Palate: gentle with notes of butterscotch, subtle oak, cloves

Finish: Long, warm, with tannins and peppery tingle, followed by hint of barrel char.

Cheers!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team