Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond 15 Year

The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 20% wheat, and 5% malted barley. The bourbon is 100 proof and has a varying age statement based on the release date. Currently, this bourbon can be found in 9, 11, 13, and the newly released 15-year-old vintages.

It seems that these babies were widely available, including abroad. For example, this is an Italian bottling. You’ll learn much more about them at the excellent Los Angeles Whisky Society. Colour: gold/orangey.

Nose: smooth and mellow, much rounded, very easy, with some vanilla fudge, a little coconut liqueur, some maple syrup and a touch of mint. Again, this is smooth and easy, but certainly neither flat nor weak. The coconut tends to take the lead after one minute, we’re almost nosing coconut butter.

Mouth: much fruitier and spicier than contemporary bourbons, and much less dominated by vanilla and other oak extracts, although some coconut there is. What’s amazing is that this bourbon is in perfect shape after almost 50 years in a (rather lousy) decanter. There’s probably quite some rye, with a feeling of juniper, some bitter oranges, some grenadine, some maple syrup again, two drops of stout… I certainly enjoy this!

Finish: not too long, rounder and smoother, with more toffee. The spiciness (cloves) remains in the aftertaste. Comments: much to my liking. The Very Old Fitzgeralds from that era were probably in a higher league, but this is already ‘very good’. Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond 15 Year

And of course, festivals! Luzern’s Whisky Ship, Limburg, then Paris Whisky Live where I did some classes with Dave Broom (well I’ve rather kind of assisted him) and Charlie MacLean, also Lausanne, as well as the tiny yet dazzling Oostende… Sadly, I couldn’t attend old favourites such as Zurich of the Whisky Show in London, but I will go there again, for sure. I missed them. Adding other festivals to my schedule would be a dream, but that’s very difficult to do, since I also have to work, mind you. What I always find amazing at whisky festivals is that there’s very little, or sometimes no drunken meat at all.