Latest news with #StitzelWeller
Forbes
18-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Whiskey Of The Week: Old Fitzgerald 7 Yr. Old Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
Old Fitzgerald bourbon has earned the 'Old' in its name — it's been around since the late 1800s, even before the Bottled In Bond Act of 1897 created the category for which Old Fitz is known. Today, vintage bottles, distilled at the famed Stitzel-Weller distillery between the 1930s and early '90s, sell for a small fortune on the secondary market. The modern history of Old Fitzgerald begins with its acquisition from Diageo (formerly known as United Distillers) by Heaven Hill in 1999 — the brand came with the Bernheim distillery that Heaven Hill also got in the deal. But the latest chapter really kicks off in 2018, when the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series was launched. Released twice annually (bottled-in-bond laws recognize two six-month distilling 'seasons' per year), a big part of the appeal is, to be honest, the gorgeous bottle in which it's housed, a throwback to the elaborate Old Fitz decanters of the 1950s. But the whiskey is worthy of the packaging. Aged between 8-19 years, depending on the bottling, and sporting a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, it's not the most unique bourbon — the mashbill is the same as that of Larceny, another Heaven Hill wheater. But it's beautifully executed without fail, featuring rich dark fruit notes, oak and spice. If there's been a less-than-excellent one in the bunch, I haven't tried it. The downside to the Decanter Series, for many bourbon buyers, is the price — bottles generally sell for at least a few hundred dollars apiece when they can be found, considerably more for the older bottlings. But the recent slowdown in whiskey sales almost across the board is ushering in what should be a golden age for the people who buy it and drink it, if not for the brands that produce and sell it. When distilleries are stuck with more product than they can unload, that whiskey gets to age in the barrel for longer, and when it's bottled, it's priced more affordably. Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond, in the rickhouse from whence it came. Photo courtesy Heaven Hill Is Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon a product of the slowdown or is its release merely a happy coincidence? Regardless, its appearance is welcome. This is a permanent addition to Heaven Hill's portfolio (though each batch will still be distilled in a single distilling season in accordance with B-in-B rules; the initial batch was distilled in Spring 2018). That eliminates the need to sprint to the liquor store and pay many multiples of its $60 suggested retail price, although a lot of retailers are pricing it as if it's going to disappear tomorrow. At 7 years old, it's a little younger than the youngest offering in the Decanter Series, but it's still three years older than the minimum required age for bonded whiskeys. And while the bottle isn't Decanter Series-level fancy, it's quite an attractive package that does bear a marked similarity to its limited-edition sibling. The 7 Year Old doesn't quite hit the highs that the best Old Fitzes in the Decanter Series achieve, but for a $60 bourbon it's excellent. It's buttery on the tongue, with big notes of caramel and baking spices up front evolving into dried fruit and nuts midpalate, with cinnamon spice and dry oak hitting the back of the tongue. At 100 proof, it's hefty but not overpowering — the hallmark of a quality bonded whiskey. It'll be interesting to see how, and how much, future batches differ from this initial release. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying this one plenty. As should you.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Stitzel Reserve Debuts With A 24-Year-Old Bourbon That's Been Waiting Since 1999
Stitzel Reserve There are distilleries—and then there's Stitzel-Weller. Known to bourbon devotees as the 'cathedral of Bourbon,' the Louisville landmark has quietly held court since 1935, aging barrels that have become the stuff of legend. Now, the historic site is throwing open its gates in a new way, launching Stitzel Reserve, a distillery-exclusive series that begins with a showstopper: a 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey drawn from just nine barrels. This isn't your average limited-edition bottle. This is history—bottled. Stitzel Reserve is more than a brand extension—it's a platform for the rare, the archival, and the impossibly well-aged. The series draws from some of the oldest and most exceptional barrels resting within the legendary rickhouses of Stitzel-Weller, beginning with a showstopping debut: a 24-Year-Old Bourbon aged in new charred American oak barrels, laid down in 1999 by a historic Kentucky producer and matured in Warehouse B. Only nine barrels were selected for this release, yielding a mere 191 bottles—each one individually numbered and hand-signed by Nicole Austin, Diageo's Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, who personally curated and blended the whiskey. 'At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country,' said Austin. 'The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery. It's a celebration of the past and a bold step forward.' This 24-Year-Old expression isn't just a flex of age—it's a fully developed character study in bourbon form. The whiskey opens with a rich, leathery profile, layered with saddle oil and an elegant sweetness that rounds into burnt sugar on the finish. With an ABV of 61.7%, this is a cask-strength pour that still manages remarkable balance, depth, and warmth. If you're the type who appreciates tasting notes that sound like the inside of a vintage study, this bottle is your spirit animal. The packaging itself is an homage to the whiskey's character, featuring design cues inspired by wood and leather—elements as timeless as the bourbon inside. While there's no official release calendar for future expressions, each Stitzel Reserve bottling will be based solely on peak liquid maturity and barrel quality, not marketing timelines. In other words, you'll have to be patient—and lucky. All releases in the Stitzel Reserve series will be available exclusively on-site at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning June 2025, consumers 21 and up can purchase the 750mL bottle directly at the distillery. Pricing, naturally, is available only upon request (a sure sign of prestige, or possibly heartbreak). For those who just want a taste without committing to the full bottle, the distillery is offering bespoke pours at the Garden & Gun Club on-site. Each tasting experience includes an etched whiskey glass, branded bag, and a limited-edition Stitzel-Weller Distillery pin, ensuring your bragging rights come fully accessorized. With Stitzel Reserve, the distillery is reaffirming its place not just as a producer, but as a custodian of bourbon legacy. It's a reminder that sometimes the most exciting things in whiskey aren't the new brands or experimental casks, but the stories quietly aging in oak, waiting for just the right moment to emerge. This first release may be rare, but if the promise of the series holds, it's only the beginning. Consider it a toast to the past—and a whisper of what's still to come.
