Oak | Red raspberry | Hazelnut | Dark brown sugar | Cranberry

Dark chocolate covered cherries | Red currants | Prune | Oak | Creamy

Thick mature oak | Black forest cake | Milk chocolate | Light clove | Slightly dry

Now in its 11th national release, Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon Spring 2023 Edition retreats in age from the 19 year old Fall 2022 Edition, which was the oldest to date for this brand line. The press release states this whiskey originated from the spring season lasting from January to June of 2013, and was bottled in the spring of 2023.

Following the oak bomb that was the Fall 2022 Edition, you’d expect a de-emphasis on oak, but that is surprisingly not the case. Oak surges throughout every part of Spring 2023 Edition’s sip. On the nose, that oak is nicely offset by red raspberry, hazelnuts, dark brown sugar, and a touch of cranberry. The palate, which is the highlight of the sip, pulls back on its oak, but only ever so slightly. It starts with a delicious dark chocolate covered cherries note that is complemented with a slightly tannic red currant note and rich prune. This is where the oak returns but brings with it a noteworthy creamy mouthfeel. Finally, the finish doubles down on a thick mature oak note with a black forest cake base, ending with a slightly dry aftertaste.

For what this bourbon offers in its flavor profile, it's hard to believe that this is only aged 10 years. There was a time when a lot of bourbons featured a pronounced oak component, but as age statements began to disappear, so did a lot of the oak. Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Bourbon Spring 2023 Edition makes oak its central feature; in many ways, it tastes like a throwback bourbon. Combine the oak with dark fruits and chocolate and the whiskey comes together in a cohesive and balanced pour.