Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Bourbon 100 Proof 750ML

Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Bourbon 100 Proof 750ML is a limited-release, Bottled-in-Bond wheated bourbon from Heaven Hill Distillery, bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml decanter. Rated 92 points by Whisky Advocate and named #16 in their 2021 Top 20 list, this expression has earned serious recognition among American whiskey collectors and enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 11 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

The Old Fitzgerald name dates back to the late 19th century and has changed hands several times before landing with Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the largest family-owned bourbon producers in the United States, headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky. The 11 Year expression uses a wheated mashbill of approximately 75% corn, 20% wheat, and 5% malted barley — substituting wheat for the rye grain found in most bourbons, which contributes a softer, rounder character. As a Bottled-in-Bond product, it meets strict federal requirements: distilled at a single distillery during a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. Released in limited quantities twice annually — spring and fall — each edition represents a different distillation season and is presented in an ornate decanter inspired by an original 1950s Old Fitzgerald diamond-pattern bottle design.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Concentrated caramel and vanilla custard lead, followed by aged oak, cinnamon spice, and subtle leather. A buttery quality underpins the nose, with hints of apricot and tobacco developing as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich with crème brûlée and toffee sweetness before transitioning to a more savory mid-palate of leather and funky aged oak. At full strength, the 100-proof intensity delivers bold caramel and black pepper; a splash of water shifts the profile toward drier, leathery tones, revealing additional complexity.

Finish: Moderately long and layered, with cinnamon, cigar box, and brown sugar lingering alongside dry oak and ginger spice. The interplay between sweet and savory notes resolves into a satisfying, peppery conclusion with tobacco highlights.

How to Drink Old Fitzgerald 11 Year

This bourbon is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water, which opens up the drier, leathery dimensions beneath the caramel sweetness. The 100-proof backbone also makes it versatile in spirit-forward cocktails. An Old Fashioned benefits from the wheated softness, allowing the caramel and oak to shine through the bitters. A Boulevardier pairs well here, where the bourbon's toffee richness and spice stand up to Campari and sweet vermouth without being overtaken. A Whiskey Sour lets the apricot and vanilla custard notes play beautifully against fresh citrus.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who appreciates Bottled-in-Bond heritage
• Adding a limited-release decanter to a whiskey display shelf
• Hosting a wheated bourbon tasting flight alongside Weller and Maker's Mark expressions
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a well-aged, collectible American whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Old Fitzgerald 11 Year taste like? It leads with rich caramel, toffee, and vanilla custard sweetness, then shifts to a savory profile of aged oak, leather, and black pepper, finishing with cinnamon, cigar box, and lingering brown sugar.

How does Old Fitzgerald 11 Year compare to Larceny Barrel Proof? Both are wheated bourbons produced by Heaven Hill using a similar mashbill, but Larceny Barrel Proof is released at cask strength without an age statement, resulting in a hotter, more intense pour. Old Fitzgerald 11 Year carries a specific age statement and is bottled at the regulated 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond standard, offering a more refined and integrated oak character from its longer maturation.

Is Old Fitzgerald 11 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 100-proof strength delivers full flavor without overwhelming heat, and the wheated mashbill contributes a smooth, rounded mouthfeel that rewards slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Old Fitzgerald 11 Year made? It is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky, one of the state's largest and oldest bourbon producers, with distilling operations in Louisville and aging warehouses in Bardstown.

What foods pair well with Old Fitzgerald 11 Year? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and caramel sweetness. Smoked pork belly matches the bourbon's savory leather notes. Pecan pie echoes the brown sugar and vanilla. Aged cheddar or Gouda provides a sharp contrast to the wheated softness. Crème brûlée mirrors the custard-like quality found on the palate.

What sizes does Old Fitzgerald 11 Year come in? The standard release is a 750ml decanter-style bottle, which is the primary format for the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series.

Is Old Fitzgerald 11 Year worth the price? Old Fitzgerald 11 Year positions as a premium, limited-release bourbon — its Bottled-in-Bond designation, 11-year age statement, collectible decanter packaging, and 92-point Whisky Advocate rating place it firmly in the upper tier of American whiskey, offering genuine substance behind the prestige.

Why Old Fitzgerald 11 Year?

The combination of an 11-year age statement, strict Bottled-in-Bond production standards, and Heaven Hill's proven wheated mashbill puts this bourbon in rare company. Its 92-point score from Whisky Advocate and Gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition confirm that it delivers beyond the hype surrounding wheated bourbons. The twice-yearly limited releases, each reflecting a distinct distillation season, mean every edition carries its own character — making the 11 Year a genuine snapshot of time in a Kentucky rickhouse. For those drawn to the softer, richer profile that wheat imparts over rye, this expression represents one of the most well-structured examples the category has to offer.