By Richard Thomas
Score: B
(Credit score: Heaven Hill)
At this juncture, I believe its essential to underline the enlargement of the Outdated Fitzgerald model. When Heaven Hill reintroduced the model to fanatics a number of years in the past, it was revamped as a bi-annual, bottled in bond expression of their wheated bourbon inventory. Furthermore, Outdated Fitz Bonded routinely clocked in at greater than twice the minimal 4 years getting older required by the Bottled in Bond statute.
However now Outdated Fitzgerald has seen a model extension, introducing a 7 12 months previous bonded model. This comes similtaneously the topic for immediately’s exploration, the Spring 2025 Outdated Fitz Bottled in Bond, which is a 9 12 months previous. The unique collection was at all times known as the Decanter Collection, however now that distinction turns into essential, as their is one thing to differentiate it from. As complicated, each the 7 12 months previous bonded and the Spring releases of the Decanter Collection have inexperienced labels. On this case, essentially the most direct approach to separate the 2 is bottling: the Decanter Collection is available in precisely that bottling, full with glass-handled stopper. The brand new 7 12 months previous is in a extra common bottle.
That defined, this fifteenth installment of the Outdated Fitz Decanter Collection was distilled at Bernheim Distillery in spring 2016. Consistent with the necessities of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, it was matured in a government-supervised warehouse, exceeds the minimal requirement of 4 years by a large margin, and was bottled at 100 proof.
The Bourbon
Oddly for a 9 12 months previous bourbon, my pour took on a copper colour within the Glencairn, a lot lighter look than I anticipated.
One other shock was that the nostril offered itself as slightly sizzling. What made that so sudden is that this whiskey is 9 years previous and weighs in not as a excessive octane cask energy launch, however at 100 proof. I assumed one thing could be off with my snout that day, so I gave the bourbon one other nosing a couple of days later and for a similar outcome. So, slightly sizzling it’s.
Pushing previous the shocking pinch of warmth, the scent was baked apple: nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger; melted brown sugar; and cooked inexperienced apples. The flavour led with a nutty and oaky notice; earlier than then bringing ahead a present of spicy, contemporary ginger shavings and pepper; and eventually the candy baked apples facet from the nostril to smother the palate. The latter has picked up notes of butterscotch and caramel. The end returns to the procession of the palate, opening nutty earlier than turning spicy and woody, and staying on that final half because it fades away.
I loved this most up-to-date launch of Outdated Fitz Bonded properly sufficient, so if my B grading appears misplaced, don’t neglect that jab of warmth within the nostril. It’s out of types and jarring, a lot in order to carry down the general grade by a notch all by itself. If one skips the nosing, as could be the case with a drink on the rocks, then the bourbon strikes as much as B+.
The Value
Formally, this bottle goes for $130. You’ll be fortunate to pay that, although: I’m seeing on-line retailers itemizing it for $500.
