PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Old Fitzgerald has been made since 1870 and is one of the great names in wheated bourbon, a style in which wheat takes the place of rye as the secondary grain, producing a softer, rounder whiskey. Heaven Hill acquired the brand in 1999, along with the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, and launched the Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series in 2018. It has since become one of Heaven Hill’s most collectible releases: twice a year, in spring and fall, the distillery releases a bonded bourbon in an ornate decanter inspired by an original 1950s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, with a green label for spring editions and black for fall.
The Spring 2026 edition is a 10-year-old, the 17th national release in the series, made from barrels distilled in spring 2016 and bottled in spring 2026. As a bottled-in-bond whiskey, it’s the product of one distillery in one distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse (here, a full decade) and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV), with only pure water added. The decanter’s tax strip discloses the distillation and bottling dates. The release came out in July 2026 on an allocated basis. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll says each release celebrates “the time-honored craftsmanship and heritage that have defined this iconic brand for generations.”
Heaven Hill’s tasting notes describe a bright copper color; a nose of “crème brûlée layered over old oak and subtle hints of citrus oil”; a palate that “leads with classic bourbon notes of butterscotch and sugar before unfolding into rich toasted bread”; and a finish that is “soft and sweet, with lingering caramel that fades into warming notes of cloves and pepper.” Drinkhacker scored it 9.0/10 (A-), describing a nose that is “even quieter than typical, with the trademark brown banana dominant, layered lightly with cinnamon and nutmeg,” “a breakfast bowl of oatmeal,” “a ton of vanilla,” “hints of orange cream soda,” and, late in the glass, “the lightest hints of barrel char, anise, and torched brassicas,” concluding it’s “Old Fitz at its absolute gentlest — at least so far.” That’s a fair summary of this edition: one of the younger and softer wheated expressions in the series, quiet and sweet rather than bold.
Every edition is a different snapshot, and Maxim noted that “the whiskeys are unique year to year, showing the variations of flavor from various distilling years, as well as at various ages.” It’s a collectible, an easy gift, and a gentle, easy-sipping wheated bourbon, best neat or with a few drops of water.
Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2026 Edition is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky, a Kentucky straight wheated bourbon distilled in spring 2016 and bottled in spring 2026, bottled in bond at 100 proof (50% ABV): one distillery, one distilling season, aged at least four years in bond, with water added to proof only. Presented in the series’ green-label diamond-cut decanter. 750ml. Limited, allocated release.
Drinkhacker — 9.0/10 (A-; August 2026):
“Old Fitzgerald has a reputation for softness, but this expression immediately strikes the nose as even quieter than typical, with the trademark brown banana dominant, layered lightly with cinnamon and nutmeg... There’s a ton of vanilla present, all classic elements of the Old Fitz playbook... The inherent sweetness of the whiskey fades into a slightly fruity quality on the finish, but only just so, leaving the consumer with an impression of Old Fitz at its absolute gentlest.”
Heaven Hill (official tasting notes):
“Bright copper color, opening on the nose with inviting aromas of crème brûlée layered over old oak and subtle hints of citrus oil. The palate leads with classic bourbon notes of butterscotch and sugar before unfolding into rich toasted bread. Its finish is soft and sweet, with lingering caramel that fades into warming notes of cloves and pepper.”
Nose
Bright copper. Crème brûlée over old oak and citrus oil, with brown banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Palate
Butterscotch and sugar, with rich toasted bread, orange cream soda, and a late hint of barrel char and anise.
Finish
Soft and sweet, with lingering caramel fading into cloves and pepper.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon — Bottled-in-Bond |
| ABV / Proof | 50% ABV / 100 Proof |
| Age | 10 Years (distilled spring 2016; bottled spring 2026) |
| Edition | Spring 2026 (green label) — the 17th national release in the Decanter Series |
| Producer | Heaven Hill Distillery (Bernheim, Louisville, Kentucky) |
| Master Distiller | Conor O’Driscoll |
| Packaging | Diamond-cut decanter inspired by a 1950s Old Fitzgerald decanter; tax strip discloses distillation and bottling dates |
| Release | July 2026, allocated |
| Critics | Drinkhacker 9.0/10 (A-) |
| Style / Identity | A soft, quiet, sweet wheated bourbon, gentle even by Old Fitz standards |
| Aromas & Flavors | Crème brûlée, old oak, butterscotch, brown banana, toasted bread, caramel, clove |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Neat or with a few drops of water — to open the caramel and spice.
Old Fashioned — a soft, creamy base.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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