Distilled back in 2013, this is the newest release from Heaven Hill in its limited-edition Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series. Aged 10 years, this is the Spring 2023 release, made using Heaven Hill's wheated mashbill and bottled in the spring at 50% ABV as Bottled In Bond regulations require. With a 10-year age statement and a modest $140 price tag, this is enticing on paper. Can it live up in the glass? Let's dig in.
I’m very much enjoying the interplay between oak, caramelized sugars, spice and fruit here, making for a profile that seems like it has a little something for everyone.
The finish is heavy on the oak, and the rest of the pour is easy to enjoy. If you like big wheater character with a heavy, oaky finish, you're in luck.
This is really good sipping whiskey. A little ice or water really drives the palate toward the vanilla/cherry creaminess with bitter winter spice barks leaning into espresso oils and more dark chocolate with a light leatheriness.
Fans of this series may find this release a bit pedestrian, but for my money it’s a classic representation of what wheated bourbons should be, eschewing the bold grassiness of rye-forward bourbons for a softer, gentler approach.
Long finish full of oak first, cherry cola, toffee, pepper and a hint of ginger.
Overall:
Pleasant and full of fun. The finish is heavy on the oak, and the rest of the pour is easy to enjoy. If you like big wheater character with a heavy, oaky finish, you're in luck.
Score:
88
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
By T8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources