Old Fitzgerald
Old Fitzgerald is a brand of wheated bourbon distilled in Louisville, Kentucky by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
 Very Special Old Fitzgerald, a 12 year-old super-premium bourbon | |
| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. |
| Country of origin | Kentucky, United States |
| Introduced | 1870 |
| Alcohol by volume | 45.00% |
| Proof (US) | 90 |
| Related products | Barton Brands |
History
Old Fitzgerald was first produced in 1870 for rail and steamship lines and private clubs located primarily in the south by John E. Fitzgerald in Frankfort, Kentucky.[1] Around 1900, "Old Fitz" was released to the public in America and Europe. It was one of the few distilled using the pot still method, and continued to do so until around 1913. During Prohibition, Old Fitzgerald was one of a select few to distill under government supervision for the national medicinal trade, it was soon after acquired by Pappy Van Winkle for $10,000 who then introduced the "Whisper of Wheat" to the original recipe. By substituting some wheat for the more traditional rye in the grain recipe, Old Fitzgerald presented a rounder, softer profile than other bourbons.
Old Fitzgerald was produced at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery until the distillery was shut down in 1992 and production transferred to Diageo's newly constructed Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.[2] In 1999, Diageo sold the brand, along with the Bernheim Distillery, to Heaven Hill, which currently produces and markets Old Fitzgerald.[3][4]
Old Fitzgerald products
Current
- Old Fitzgerald Prime
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
- Old Fitzgerald's 1849
- Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12 Years Old[5]
Previous
- Very Old Fitzgerald (8 year)
- Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald (10 year)
- Very Very Old Fitzgerald (12 year)
- Very Very Old Fitzgerald (15 year)
- Very Very Old Fitzgerald (18 year)[6]
References
- Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey by Heaven Hill Distilleries
- Cowdery, Chuck (2013-01-13). "After More Than 20 Years, Stitzel-Weller to Resume Production". The Chuck Cowdery Blog. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- "Diageo to Sell Liquor Brands to Heaven Hill and Others". New York Times. February 25, 1999. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- Beck, Ernest (February 25, 1999). "Diageo Sells Brandy Label, Bourbons In Bid to Cull Its Portfolio of Brands". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- "Old Fitzgerald Multimedia Kit". Heaven Hill.
- "Very Very Old Fitzgerald". LA Whisk(e)y Society.
Further reading
- Van Winkle Campbell, Sally (1999). But Always Fine Bourbon: Pappy Van Winkle and the Story of Old Fitzgerald. Louisville, KY: Limestone Lane Press. ISBN 0967420806. ISBN 9780967420806