Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

Apr 24, 2024, 3:44 PM

Fitzgerald.jpg(48.4 K)

As a confessed geek, family and friends spent my birthday weekend in Bardstown, KY. Unbeknownst to us, Heaven Hill did a unicorn release we learned of while, well...sipping, cause that's what you do, when you aren't pouring your own bottle. We learned folks would begin lining up at 5:01PM last Friday night, for the 7:00AM opening. We drove through the parking lot at 9:30 that night and while there were plenty camping, it was clear they were the majority, or so we hoped. One of my crew wanted to camp...I wanted sleep...real sleep.

Upon parking in a field, we schlepped to the forming lines at 6:00AM Saturday. Can't say I'd experienced a brisk sunrise over rickhouses before, but it was a sparkling morning and the spirits (humankind) were quite pleasant. Full disclosure: I knew nothing of this bourbon, but decided it was a spectacle to join in with.

As we showed ID and given wristbands for our purchase, it was clear later arrivals could partake, so I did the honorable (and resourceful) thing and called Mrs. Salty to join in.

I met her outside and rejoined the line.

No sooner had the initial sales begun than the postings on the whiskey secondary market were being made. $1100...$1500...$1999...for a $240.00 bottle! As you can see, I scored two...two friends each bought a bottle, too.

This marked only the third time the maroon VVS label was used for Old Fitzgerald. In the interest of the TL/DR crowd (of which even this poasting is too long!), I encourage you to read the history of the Heaven Hill/Bernheim/Old Fitzgerald story.

Were any fellow Tigers in the crowd with me? Suffice to say, this Tiger got lucky! But...will I even like it?

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

luckyj® is no novice given his collection! You notice he hid the Pappy 23?!?

Hmm...licorice. Having never tried any Old Fitz, not sure if this will have that profile or not. It was distilled in '99 for 13 years, then moved to the steel vat where it sat until Parker Beam sampled and encouraged a special release. Still it remained in the vat from '17 or so until being bottled. Heckuva story, for sure.

If it wasn't for Weller, I'm not sure Buffalo Trace would grab me. But Weller/Eagle Rare I keep multiple bottles on hand.

If any of you like scotch/single malt and are familiar with Stranahans out of Denver, give their Diamond Peak a try. It's aged in tequila (which I don't like) barrels and it blew me away. Granted, that's me, but holy hail...it was good different...very good different! (You've been warned...or teased!)

Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

Re: Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

Re: Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

Is it a state lottery, or

Re: Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

So you and I have two

I've tried Old Fitz 3x

Yeah, it's pretty clear that

Re: Yeah, it's pretty clear that

Your collection is like recruiting rankings!

He's like Bama & UGA the last 5-7 years. Tons of 5 stars.

Re: He's like Bama & UGA the last 5-7 years. Tons of 5 stars.

I grew up in VA

Re: He's like Bama & UGA the last 5-7 years. Tons of 5 stars.

Re: He's like Bama & UGA the last 5-7 years. Tons of 5 stars.

Hard to go wrong with the Colonel as well

Re: Old Fitzgerald...for the whiskey geeks out there

Awesome Story

TigerBoard POTD