Orphan Barrel Fanged Pursuit 17 Year Bourbon 750ML

Orphan Barrel Fanged Pursuit 17 Year Bourbon 750ML is a 92-proof (46% ABV) non-chill filtered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged seventeen years. This release marks the first North American non-chill filtered expression in the Orphan Barrel collection, a distinction that has earned significant praise from bourbon critics — Bourbon Pursuit called it “by far my favorite Orphan Barrel release,” while Bourbon Banter singled it out as the reviewer’s top pick from the entire line.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 17 Years  |  Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Orphan Barrel / Diageo)

Production & Heritage

Orphan Barrel is a Diageo-owned series dedicated to releasing forgotten barrels of aged whiskey discovered in warehouses across North America. Fanged Pursuit was sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery and aged for seventeen years, built on a high-rye bourbon mashbill of approximately 68–74% corn, 18–22% rye, and 8–10% malted barley. What separates this expression from every other Orphan Barrel North American release is its non-chill filtered production — a deliberate choice to retain the fats, proteins, and natural oils that conventional chill filtration strips away, resulting in a fuller body, richer mouthfeel, and greater aromatic complexity straight from the barrel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, layered oak leads into butterscotch and vanilla, followed by warm baking spices and dried fruit. A subtle sweetness reminiscent of toasted marshmallow sits underneath, along with faint browned butter.

Taste: The entry is rounded and full-bodied, with dark maraschino cherry and strawberry crème arriving first. The mid-palate develops into toasted caramel, peanut brittle, and dark chocolate, while the rye spice adds structure and a welcome edge. Bold oak integrates cleanly without dominating, and notes of crème brûlée and leather add further dimension.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with oak that comes through at a satisfying but measured level. The butterscotch and marshmallow sweetness from the nose returns in a slightly more subdued form, trailing off alongside dried fruit and gentle spice.

How to Drink Fanged Pursuit

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve here — the non-chill filtered body opens up beautifully at room temperature, and water unlocks additional fruit complexity without thinning the texture. A single large ice cube also works well for those who prefer a slightly cooled experience.

• Old Fashioned: The dark cherry and butterscotch notes shine through sugar and bitters, making this a richly layered take on the classic.
• Boulevardier: The 17-year oak depth and rye spice stand up confidently against Campari and sweet vermouth.
• Vieux Carré: The chocolate and leather nuances in Fanged Pursuit complement cognac and Benedictine in this stirred New Orleans classic.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values rare, limited-edition releases
• Side-by-side tastings of aged Kentucky bourbons with friends
• Celebrating a milestone with a distinctive after-dinner pour
• Adding a non-chill filtered bourbon benchmark to a home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fanged Pursuit taste like? Fanged Pursuit delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by dark cherry, butterscotch, dark chocolate, and toasted caramel, supported by rye spice and oak. The non-chill filtered bottling gives it a noticeably creamy, oily mouthfeel that amplifies every note.

How does Fanged Pursuit compare to Elijah Craig 18 Year? Both are well-aged Kentucky bourbons, but Elijah Craig 18 Year is bottled at 90 proof and chill filtered, while Fanged Pursuit comes in at 92 proof and is non-chill filtered, giving it a denser texture and more oil-driven complexity. Fanged Pursuit also leans darker in its fruit and chocolate notes, whereas Elijah Craig 18 tends toward classic caramel and vanilla with prominent oak tannins.

Is Fanged Pursuit good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this bourbon was designed for neat consumption, and the retained oils from non-chill filtration give it exceptional body and a coating mouthfeel that rewards slow sipping. A few drops of water can further open up its fruit-forward aromatics.

Where is Fanged Pursuit made? Fanged Pursuit is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky and released under Diageo’s Orphan Barrel brand, which specializes in uncovering forgotten barrels of aged whiskey from various warehouses.

What foods pair well with Fanged Pursuit? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon’s cocoa notes; pecan pie echoes the toasted nut and caramel flavors; smoked brisket mirrors the oak and leather undertones; aged cheddar provides a salty counterpoint to the butterscotch sweetness; and crème brûlée reinforces the toasted sugar character found on the palate.

What sizes does Fanged Pursuit come in? Orphan Barrel Fanged Pursuit 17 Year is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Fanged Pursuit worth the price? Fanged Pursuit positions as a premium limited-release bourbon, and its 17-year age statement combined with non-chill filtered production places it in a competitive tier alongside other well-aged Kentucky bourbons like Elijah Craig 18 Year and Knob Creek 18 Year. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking textural complexity and rarity within the Orphan Barrel series, it represents a strong value proposition in its class.

Why Fanged Pursuit?

The single most important thing about Fanged Pursuit is that it introduced non-chill filtration to the North American Orphan Barrel lineup for the first time, a production choice that fundamentally changes how the bourbon feels in the glass. Seventeen years in barrel have given this whiskey substantial oak integration without crossing into over-extracted bitterness, while the retained oils amplify the dark fruit, chocolate, and butterscotch that define its character. Multiple independent bourbon reviewers have cited it as the strongest release in the Orphan Barrel series, a meaningful distinction given the breadth of that portfolio. For drinkers who appreciate what extended aging and unfiltered bottling can achieve in a high-rye Kentucky bourbon, Fanged Pursuit stands as a compelling example of both.