A rich aroma dominated by vanilla, pralines, and cola showcases well-integrated wood that smacks of tobacco, candied nuts, and dark chocolate. The palate is similarly rich, full, and sultry-smooth, with no perceptible alcohol heat, just heaps of brown sugar, seductive spice, and fine leather. The maturity and refinement here are lovely to behold—fruit, spice, and earth, draped over crystalline sweetness. Collectibles

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Spring 2020)

Fruit bliss. Filled with apple, pear, dried apricot, and peaches, it then offers floral and rich caramel notes. Chocolate fried pie, pumpkin pie, and vanilla custard follow over a creamy mouthfeel. Then nuts set in, including roasted almonds, salted walnuts, and pecans. Honey and malt appear toward the end for a long and wonderful finish with a light hint of cinnamon. Editor’s Choice

Reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Summer 2018)

The first of Old Fitzgerald’s semiannual releases for 2019. The nose offers vanilla flan, banana cream pie, and powdered sugar, but is also floral, with tropical notes of peach, coconut, and melon, all draped lightly in tobacco leaf. The palate is gentle, with maple syrup, marshmallow, milk chocolate, ripe peach, coconut, orange, and oak. A rich finish offers honey, chocolate, almond, toasted oak, and a hint of cigar. A pleasurable progression of flavors. Collectible

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2019)

Oak-forward and earthy, the nose is dominated by dark cigar wrapper, leather, grain bin, and dry autumn leaves, with overripe peaches and plenty of toasted pecan and walnut lurking just beneath. The palate is full-bodied and chewy, yet displays the softness you’d expect from such a well-aged wheater, as the flavor marries alluring caramel-and-maple sweetness with mixed nuts to achieve perfect balance.

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Winter 2020)

Grain takes pride of place here, with kettle corn, honey peanuts, and corn muffin on the nose, as well as milk chocolate, licorice root, blueberry jam, cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar. More sweet grain and nuts on the palate, along with blueberry, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of mint. Add some water to lift the veil on the more subtle flavors. The rounded finish continues with nutty sweetness, milk chocolate, and well-integrated oak. Excellent balance.

Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)

Released twice annually with varying age statements but consistent quality. There is a subtle fruity sweetness on the nose, with notes of fresh strawberries, dried orange slices and apricots, raspberry syrup, and sweet tea alongside dried herbs and Country Time lemonade. That interplay of tart and sweet carries over to the palate, with cooked berries, tangy citrus, and a soft inviting texture. The finish is mouth-coating and has good depth. With zesty notes throughout, this hits its mark well. Number 16 in the 2021 Top 20

Reviewed by: Ted Simmons (Winter 2021)

Slow to rise on the nose, offering cedar and dried herbs, but then brightening to aromas of lemon honey, lemon tea, and vanilla as it blossoms into fresh floral beauty. The palate is rich, honeyed, and dessert-like with flavors of caramel, milk chocolate-covered cherries, and a hint of coconut. Excellent length on a finish that melds chocolate with raspberry coulis, balanced against mature oak, espresso, and lingering herbs and spice.

Reviewed by: David Fleming (Summer 2022)

A somewhat tight nose, with cocoa, spiced oak, brown sugar, and saddle leather; water reveals vivid vanilla and a bit of banana. The initial honeyed sweetness and chocolate-covered peanut cluster flavors quickly get brushed aside by the tannic oak and searing spice. Drinks a bit hot and hurried—with Szechuan pepper heat before a jolt of citrus oil. (18,000 bottles)

Reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth (Winter 2018)

Sharp nose, a bit of heat, fresh ground/cracked spices—cinnamon, pepper, allspice—and hot sugar about to caramelize. There’s nothing soft here. The first crash on the tongue isn’t soft either; it’s rushing bonded heat, insistent pepper, and dry oak. Wait a bit, and it calms as you finally find the corn and the mouth widens, then slides into a dryer, lasting finish. Pretty wild ride for a wheated bourbon.

Reviewed by: Lew Bryson (Fall 2014)