Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
We may be a bit past spring, but it’s never too late to break out Heaven Hill’s Spring 2023 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Bourbon for a new tasting of a tried-and-true distillery. The whiskey is a 10-year-old expression, first produced in the spring of 2013.
Old Fitzgerald was originally trademarked in 1884 and among the few distilleries allowed to sell liquor through Prohibition under the Volstead Act. Now, long after becoming a household name and resting comfortably under the Heaven Hill banner since 1999, Old Fitzgerald has enjoyed multiple successful bottled-in-bond expressions.
The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was initially a protection act for consumers, ensuring a high-quality whiskey under the green tax strip affixed to each bottle. There are many stipulations required for a whiskey to be classified Bottled-in-Bond, all perfectly stated here, and I find it reassuring to know when a whiskey has been vetted in such a way, even though the assurance of quality doesn’t always translate into a great tasting whiskey. The point is to add extra steps that absolutely can’t be skipped in order to provide the consumer the undeniable knowledge of certifiable quality.
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In the case of Heaven Hill’s Spring 2023 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond release, the eleventh release in this series, the ten-years since barrel production has worked well to cultivate a complex and well-rounded flavor profile. As with earlier releases, this edition is bottled in a gorgeous ornate decanter and a label that feels a nod to days of whiskey past.
It has been often suggested that Bottled-in-Bond whiskey is the best for cocktails, and so in addition to my regular tasting, I mixed this Old Fitzgerald bourbon into several cocktails, including a classic Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour, and found the bold maple and clove notes come through well in both, offering pronounced bourbon flavors that accentuate the citrus of the sour in a great way, and with the Old Fashioned being my favorite whiskey cocktail,
I would say that while this whiskey is a fantastic base, the spirit is smooth and luxe enough to save for a rocks or neat night.
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Tasting Notes: Heaven Hill’s Spring 2023 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Bourbon
Vital Stats: Spring 2023 Edition, 10-year-old. 750 ml bottle allocated at a SRP of $139.99. Bottled at 100 Proof (50% ABV).
Appearance: The color of deep golden honeycomb with a tinge of ginger red.
Nose: There are floral notes that blend with bright orange blossom, with molasses and spice creating a warming aroma.
Palate: This is a powerhouse! Soapy and peppery, with clove and caramel creating a smooth burn that coats the palate in a phenomenal first sip. The whiskey then grows, morphs into an oily coated sweetness and smooth mouthfeel with a long finish.
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