Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Old Bourbon, Heaven Hill Distillery Co, Bardstown 45%

Founded shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Heaven Hill became the largest independent, family-owned producer and marketer of distilled spirits in the United States. Heaven Hill’s success is due to a mix of good business acumen, continuity, heritage and uncompromising craftsmanship. The company is still owned by descendants of the founding Shapira brothers and five generations of the famous Beam family have overseen the distillation. Located in Bardstown, Kentucky, Heaven Hill is the world’s second largest holder of bourbon whiskey with over 675,000 charred white oak barrels ageing in 42 open-rick warehouses. Double-distillation takes place at the modern Bernheim facility where Craig and Parker Beam produce rye and wheat influenced bourbons as well as straight rye, corn and wheat whiskies, using their own family yeast strain – now in its fifth generation!

By law, Bourbon must be made up of at least 51% corn and be aged a minimum of two years in a new charred white oak barrel, standards that were pioneered by early Bourbon makers such as Evan Williams and Rev. Elijah Craig. Made with a “whisper of wheat” according to a time-honored formula, Old Fitzgerald is critically acclaimed for its distinct, complex nose and taste. By substituting wheat for the more traditional rye in the grain recipe, or mashbill, Old Fitzgerald finishes with a rounder, softer profile. “Old Fitz” is a storied brand, with roots going back to the 1870’s when it was first produced for rail and steamship lines and private clubs.