15 years. 100 proof. Wheated bourbon in Heaven Hill’s iconic diamond decanter. The oldest expression in the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series.

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond series is released twice a year Spring and Fall and each edition is a specific distillation season aged to a specific number of years, bottled to the strict legal standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act: 100 proof, single distillery, single season, federally bonded warehouse. The 15 Year is the oldest expression in the series and the most sought-after of each release cycle.

As a wheated bourbon, Old Fitzgerald replaces the rye grain used in most Kentucky bourbons with wheat producing a softer, more caramel-forward profile that becomes increasingly pronounced with age. At 15 years, the wheat character reaches a level of development that places it in the same conversation as W.L. Weller and the Van Winkle family not surprising, given that Pappy Van Winkle himself worked at the original Old Fitzgerald distillery and called it the first great wheated bourbon.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep amber with golden hues from 15 years of barrel contact.
• Aroma: Rich caramel, baked apple, vanilla, dried apricot, and a gentle toasted oak note.
• Palate: Full and silky toffee, dried fruit, warm baking spice, and a wheat grain sweetness that runs through the entire experience.
• Finish: Long and warming caramel, vanilla, and gentle oak fading into a clean, dry close.

The Decanter

The Old Fitzgerald BiB decanter is inspired by the original diamond-shaped bottles used for Old Fitzgerald in the 1950s. It is one of the most visually distinctive presentations in the bourbon category a bottle that signals its contents before it’s opened.

Specs

• Distillery: Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Bottled-in-Bond
• Age: 15 years
• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
• Size: 750ml
• Presentation: Diamond-inspired decanter bottle

Explore all Old Fitzgerald expressions or browse the full bourbon selection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 15 Year differ from the 13 Year Old Fitzgerald BiB? The 13 Year is the previous top of the series excellent, caramel-forward, and approachable. The 15 Year adds two additional years of wheated maturation, producing a noticeably richer dried fruit character, deeper caramel concentration, and a longer finish. It is the definitive Old Fitzgerald BiB expression.
• What is Bottled-in-Bond and why does it matter? The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 requires single-season, single-distillery production, at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottling at exactly 100 proof with no additives. It is the most transparent designation in American whiskey every bottle tells you precisely what it is.
• What is a wheated bourbon? Most bourbons use rye as the secondary grain, contributing spice. Wheated bourbons like Old Fitzgerald, W.L. Weller, and Pappy Van Winkle substitute wheat, producing a softer, sweeter profile. The connection is direct: Pappy Van Winkle worked at the original Old Fitzgerald distillery and Old Fitzgerald is widely considered the first great wheated bourbon.
• Is Old Fitzgerald BiB 15 Year hard to find? Yes. Each release is limited and sells out quickly. The 15 Year in particular as the oldest expression in the series has the most constrained supply and highest secondary market demand of any Old Fitzgerald BiB release.

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