Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Bourbon Review – A Decanter Without Depth?

Introduction

Few names in bourbon history carry the vintage weight and reverence of Old Fitzgerald. First introduced in 1870 by John E. Fitzgerald, the brand eventually came under the stewardship of the legendary Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., who began producing it at the iconic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in the early 20th century. Under Pappy’s watch, Old Fitzgerald earned its place as a wheated bourbon trailblazer—substituting wheat for rye in the mash bill, softening the profile and inspiring future greats like the Pappy Van Winkle line itself.

After the Stitzel-Weller facility closed in the early 1990s, Old Fitzgerald changed hands until Heaven Hill acquired the brand in 1999. Since then, the company has gradually revived Old Fitz’s prestige, most notably through its Bottled-in-Bond decanter series, launched in 2018. Each release is a wheated bourbon bottled at 100 proof, aged at least 4 years, and presented in an ornate decanter that evokes a golden age of Kentucky bourbon design.

The newest expression—the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond—marks a strategic shift. Rather than a one-off limited edition, this release is meant to become a consistent, everyday shelf product. It’s designed to be a wheated bourbon counterpart to the widely distributed Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond, giving the brand a year-round wheated option in their bottled-in-bond portfolio.

The latest edition—the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond—marks the youngest age statement in the series to date. With a supposed MSRP of $59.99, this release appears aimed at accessibility. But with some liquor stores charging $100 or more, expectations quickly rise.

So, does this 7-year expression honor the Old Fitzgerald legacy, or is it a decanter-first, flavor-second offering?

Bottle Details

• Name: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Bourbon
• Distillery: Heaven Hill (Bernheim Distillery)
• Type: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
• ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
• Mash Bill: 68% Corn / 20% Wheat / 12% Malted Barley
• Age Statement: 7 Years
• Release Season: Spring 2025 (Distilled Spring 2018)
• Designation: Bottled-in-Bond (Single Distillation Season)
• Price: MSRP $59.99 – Market Price $90–$100+
• Presentation: Ornate glass decanter with embossed label and tax strip
• Status: Limited Allocation / National Release

Tasting Notes

Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

I gave this 15 minutes to open up in the glass as on initial nose it seemed like a clear neck pour with a punch of ethanol.

Nose:
Soft, sweet, and safe. Opens with gentle caramel cream, honeyed graham cracker, and faint baking spice. Hints of dried apricot and vanilla custard add subtle depth. While pleasant, it lacks the complexity of its older siblings. A slight ethanol tinge suggests neck pour tightness—it may benefit from air.

Palate:
Underwhelming and thin. Starts with muted vanilla wafer, soft toffee, and a trace of cinnamon. The wheat is detectable but extremely dialed back. Mouthfeel is light, almost watery, and there’s minimal mid-palate development. A touch of nuttiness floats in—maybe macadamia—but the pour never builds or grips the palate.

Finish:
Short and faint. Light oak, a flicker of white pepper, and a mild herbal dryness. There’s little staying power, and no pronounced sweetness or oak spice to hang onto. For a 100 proof, 7-year bourbon, the finish is remarkably quiet.

Revisit After Opening:
After revisiting the bottle 4–5 days later, the experience improved noticeably. With some air time, more flavor emerged—particularly richer caramel and a bit more depth on the mid-palate. The ethanol settled, allowing softer wheat sweetness and subtle oak to shine through. Still, while the pour gained some character, it doesn’t justify the inflated secondary market pricing. I’m hopeful it continues to evolve with time, but it remains a bourbon best enjoyed at or below MSRP.

How Much Would I Pay?

💰 Max Price I Would Pay:
$60– The decanter is stunning, but the liquid inside drinks like a younger, unfinished wheated bourbon.