Old Fitzgerald 9 year Spring 2025

Nine years must be the sweet spot for this whiskey because this is once again the complete wheated bourbon package. The aroma is big, full of barrel spice and freshly picked mint with rich, buttery undertones of toffee and clove syrup. As it opens, a banana note is once again on display; although this time it’s a bit more sugared and decadent, alternating between creamy banana pudding and caramelized Bananas Foster.

On the palate, things are perhaps even more in balance and flavorful than the 2018 release we so enjoyed. Top notes of pie spice are warm but gentle, almost syrupy, and give way quickly to yeasted donuts with a caramel glaze and cinnamon-dusted, fried apple hand pies. The oak is well in hand with a subtle midpalate lacing of old furniture and barrel char that only serves to reinforce those lush, sweeter notes. The finish is generous and silky, cascading into apple sauce and crème caramel. Still top shelf stuff, even without the double digit age statement.