Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Bourbon 100 Proof 750ML

Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Bourbon 100 Proof 750ML is a wheated straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) from Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Presented in a striking diamond-shaped decanter inspired by the original 1950s Old Fitzgerald bottle design, this 10-year age statement expression stands out as one of the more sought-after entries in the modern Bottled-in-Bond bourbon landscape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 10 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

The Old Fitzgerald brand has deep roots in American whiskey history, long prized for its use of wheat as a secondary grain instead of the more common rye. Heaven Hill, one of the largest family-owned distillery operations in Kentucky, now stewards the label from its Bardstown campus. The mashbill leans heavily on corn with a significant wheat component and malted barley — a grain recipe that historically produces a softer, rounder bourbon compared to high-rye alternatives. After a full decade of maturation in new charred oak barrels, each release is bottled at exactly 100 proof under Bottled-in-Bond standards, meaning it was distilled during a single distilling season, aged in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at the legally mandated proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pecan pie and cinnamon rolls before shifting into chocolate-hazelnut spread and dark brown sugar. Deeper inhales reveal layers of red raspberry, hazelnut, and cranberry with a steady oak underpinning.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, led by dark chocolate-covered cherries and red currants. At mid-palate, tart raspberries and cream emerge alongside baked apple and butterscotch. The oak influence builds steadily without overpowering the fruit and confectionery notes, while brown sugar and a hint of prune add depth.

Finish: Long and textured, fading through thick mature oak, black forest cake, and milk chocolate. A light clove spice arrives late, and the close is slightly dry with lingering toasted oak.

How to Drink Old Fitzgerald 10 Year

At 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping with a few minutes of rest in the glass to let the more delicate fruit notes emerge. A single large ice cube or a few drops of water opens up the chocolate and cream character without dulling the oak backbone.

• Old Fashioned: The wheated sweetness and dark fruit profile handle sugar syrup and bitters with grace, producing a rich, dessert-leaning variation of the classic.
• Boulevardier: Chocolate and cherry notes complement sweet vermouth and Campari, amplifying the cocktail's bittersweet complexity.
• Paper Plane: The bourbon's fruit-forward mid-palate holds its own against Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon, adding weight and caramel depth.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon collector who values age-stated, Bottled-in-Bond releases
• Anchoring a wheated bourbon tasting flight alongside Maker's Mark, Larceny, and Weller expressions
• Displaying on a home bar — the diamond decanter is a genuine conversation piece
• Celebrating milestones where presentation matters as much as what's inside

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Fitzgerald 10 Year taste like? It leads with dark chocolate-covered cherries, baked apple, and butterscotch, layered over a creamy palate and sustained by mature oak. The finish is long, slightly dry, and marked by black forest cake and toasted oak.

How does Old Fitzgerald 10 Year compare to Rebel 10 Single Barrel? Both are wheated bourbons from the Heaven Hill portfolio with similar age statements, and side-by-side they are remarkably close in flavor profile. The Old Fitzgerald 10 Year edges ahead in presentation with its Bottled-in-Bond designation and distinctive diamond decanter packaging.

Is Old Fitzgerald 10 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 100 proof delivers enough intensity to keep the palate engaged, while the wheated mashbill ensures a soft, approachable texture that doesn't require dilution unless preferred.

Where is Old Fitzgerald 10 Year made? It is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest and oldest family-owned American whiskey producers in the state. Bardstown sits in the heart of bourbon country along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

What foods pair well with Old Fitzgerald 10 Year? Dark chocolate truffles echo the bourbon's cocoa and cherry notes. Pecan pie mirrors the nutty, caramelized aromas on the nose. Smoked pork belly complements the oak and brown sugar character. Aged Gouda works well against the creamy mid-palate, and cherry cobbler amplifies the fruit-forward finish.

What sizes does Old Fitzgerald 10 Year come in? The standard release is the 750ml diamond decanter bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Old Fitzgerald 10 Year worth the price? It positions as a premium bourbon, justified by a genuine 10-year age statement, Bottled-in-Bond certification, and the collectible decanter packaging — all of which place it above many similarly aged competitors in perceived and actual value.

Why Old Fitzgerald 10 Year?

In a bourbon market flooded with NAS releases and vague "extra aged" claims, Old Fitzgerald 10 Year delivers full transparency: a specific age statement, a legally regulated proof, and a clearly identified distillery. The wheated mashbill sets it apart from the majority of Kentucky bourbons built on rye-forward recipes, producing a notably softer and more fruit-driven character. The diamond decanter — a faithful revival of the brand's mid-century design — gives it a shelf presence that few competitors can match at any price tier. For drinkers who want substance and provenance behind the label, this is a bourbon that earns its reputation on merit rather than marketing.