Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 9 Year (Fall 2018)

little harsh at first

Great pour. Easy on the palate. Vanilla, caramel, maybe a touch of oak. Good finish that lingers but doesn’t burn. Happy to still have a few pours left.

Funny how your taste and preferences change over time. When this first came out it was in my top 5. I was really into wheaters at that time. Upon revisiting, I didn’t seem to enjoy it quite as much. Don’t get me wrong, still a great pour, but I’m currently digging high rye / higher proof. Just goes to show when you find something you love, drink it and don’t save it!

Good amount of heat with notes of vanilla and leather.

Quick review: corn in the nasal cavity, lacquered wood. The burn is severe down the gullet. Taste of black pepper, barrel char, peanut dust. Hint of cinnamon/rye spice. There are some softer caramel and marzipan elements; circus peanuts? Carraway seed bitterness and black licorice. The finish is straight up peanut and wood char. There is some metallic astringency, but that's after you've scorched the rest of your palate. The burn lingers like eating a slice of piping hot pizza too fast. Every decimal of that 100 proof sticks to the lips; seriously, my lips are numb. I'd love to spend another few drams with this one since I'm sure I'm not doing it justice; this baby could cut through any cocktail you put it in.