Another one where the 5-point scale doesn't do justice...this is better than 4, but not quite 5. In any case, the nose is a bit woody, with sugarcane and butter hints mixed with alcohol astringency. The palate, fortunately, is much better. Rich butterscotch coats the tongue, intermingled with baking spices and just a hint too much wood before leading to a dry, sweet finish. Very surprised at the amount of spice in this considering there's no rye in the mashbill. A really good variant of the wheated whiskys; better than Maker's Mark, on-par with (yet very much different than) Maker's 46, but not quite as good as Weller's 107. Give this a try if you find traditional wheated bourbons too sweet, or if you're looking for a little more "smooth" than in your regular rye-blend drams.
Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Very Special Bourbon
About this bottle
Old Fitzgerald Bourbon was first introduced in the late 1800s, and was eventually produced by the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively, KY. During the “horse trading” decade of the 1990’s, Diageo purchased the S-W Distillery, thus taking over the Old Fitzgerald brand. Later in the 90′s, the Old Fitz brand was again sold, this time to Heaven Hill along with the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, KY, which is now the current home to the production of this well-known 12-year wheated bourbon. Old Fitzgerald still follows a wheated recipe made famous at the now shuttered S-W Distillery.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 12 parsed reviews.
An evening of tasting, this was #1 of 6. Right out of the bottle there was a pop of cherry, marshmallow and cream brûlée on the nose. I didn’t spend as much time allowing it to open up as it deserved but there was whiskey to drink... The palate was so velvety soft, almost comforting. The palate was loaded with cotton candy, anise, and a hint of oak but nothing tannic or bitter whatsoever. This all led to a medium vanilla finish, nothing fancy. I live the wax-covered screw top and unassuming label outside of being “VERY SPECIAL.” That said, I assume these are on their way to being dead and gone but it was very special to sit and sip with a friend. Would easily put it against an Eagle Rare if by myself.
Great nose, baking spices, caramel, and flowers. Some sort of sour vanilla as well. Strong wood initially on the palate, a bitterness that lingers. A quick hit of brown sugar, then leather and turpentine. Sometimes I get a flash of overripe orchard fruit. The finish is long and spicy. Lots of flavor in this one. 9/13/17
Got a bottle of this from a friend, pretty good stuff, definitely follows up with regular Old Fitz. Solid nose with the notes we're familiar with spicy, leathery, woody, with a clean and crisp finish.
Straight up grape kool aid. Grape flavoring not real grape. Delicious aroma, good flavor but super sweet.
Damn, special to try this. Awesome pour. Thanks Rube, what a night. You’re the G.O.A.T
6 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
