Old Fitzgerald 17 Year Bottled-in-Bond, Spring 2022 edition, is one of the most prized releases in Heaven Hill's coveted Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series, and at 17 years old it was the oldest expression the series had ever offered at the time of release. The storied Old Fitzgerald name dates to 1884 and was once owned by the legendary Pappy Van Winkle before Heaven Hill acquired the brand and its wheated bourbon stocks in 1999. Each spring and fall, Heaven Hill releases a new, extra aged, bottled in bond edition in an ornate diamond decanter inspired by an original 1950s Old Fitzgerald bottle, with spring releases bearing a green label and fall releases a black one. This Spring 2022 release was the ninth national edition and the first 17 year old in the series, comprised of just 120 barrels pulled from across three floors of rickhouse V at Heaven Hill's Bardstown campus. Distilled in the fall of 2004 and bottled in the spring of 2022 from the brand's signature wheated mashbill, where soft winter wheat replaces rye for a rounder, honeyed character, it meets the strict bottled in bond standard: the product of a single distillery and single distilling season, aged at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof under U.S. government supervision. Seventeen years of patient aging yield exceptional depth and elegance. Expect a rich nose of bourbon sweetness, leather, subtle oak, and baking spices, a velvety palate of honey, butterscotch, ripe stone fruit, and soft wheated sweetness, and a long, warming, gently spiced finish. Beautifully presented and produced in tiny quantities, it is a genuine trophy for the serious bourbon collector. Enjoy it neat to savor its remarkable maturity.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Heaven Hill Brands |
| Category |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (wheated, Bottled-in-Bond) |
| Expression |
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, 17 Year, Spring 2022 |
| Mashbill |
68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley |
| Age |
17 Years (distilled Fall 2004, bottled Spring 2022) |
| Maturation |
New Charred Oak; Bottled-in-Bond (single distilling season); 120 barrels |
| ABV |
50% |
| Proof |
100 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Rich bourbon sweetness with leather, subtle oak, and baking spices.
Palate: Rich and velvety, with honey, butterscotch, ripe stone fruit, and soft wheated sweetness.
Finish: Long and warming, with dark fruit and gentle oak spice.
FAQ
Is this the limited Decanter Series? Yes. This is the allocated, twice yearly Decanter Series Spring 2022 edition, aged 17 years. It is distinct from the permanent, year round Old Fitzgerald 7 Year, which is younger, more available, and more affordable.
What makes the 17 Year special? It was the first 17 year old release in the series and, at the time, the oldest Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series bourbon ever, comprised of just 120 barrels.
What do the label colors mean? Spring releases carry a green label and fall releases a black label. Distillery only editions have used a red label. This is a green label spring release.
What does Bottled-in-Bond mean? It is the product of a single distillery and single distilling season, aged at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof under U.S. government supervision. This was distilled in fall 2004 and bottled in spring 2022.
What is the mashbill? It is a wheated bourbon, using soft winter wheat in place of rye, from Heaven Hill's wheated recipe of 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 12 percent malted barley.
Where can I buy Old Fitzgerald 17 Year online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
