Fanged Pursuit is the latest release in the ongoing Orphan Barrel project, which was launched by Diageo in 2013. For this release, the company’s website states, “Represented by the watchful lone bobcat that silently prowls the outskirts of the Bluegrass State distilleries, this extraordinary Fanged Pursuit emerges only after years of patient, undisturbed maturation in charred American Oak Barrels..

‍‍Fanged Pursuit is the first bourbon to be non-chill filtered for the Orphan Barrel brand. A range of its mashbill grains is also given, which makes it difficult to discern the bourbon’s distillation source(s).

Like many Orphan Barrel releases, a sweet and fruit-filled aroma begins the brand’s latest arrival. These cherry and raspberry scents combine with mature seasoned oak and make an immediate impression. Cinnamon bark, sugared walnuts, and warm caramel are strewn throughout, adding to the aroma’s depth and complexity. For how thick the scents are, there is a degree of vibrancy from them, led by a notable fruitiness. The scents all come together extremely well and are delivered efficiently, but more importantly, the overall aroma is engaging and pleasing.

The bourbon’s thin mouthfeel is instantly noticed, but is quickly followed by sweet oak, butterscotch, and a candied fruitiness that fills your palate. Aged oak blossoms against a gentle thread of mint, with tobacco rounding out the palate to satisfying results. With the amount of flavors present, they don’t get drowned out by the palate’s oak and retain their sweetness. The bourbon’s sub-100 proof is most noticeable at this point of the sip, as it’s thinner than you’d want. Regardless, its flavors are enjoyable and still make an impact.

Mature aged oak takes center stage and the bourbon’s sweetness turns dry. Gentle oak tannins mixed with molasses and brown sugar fight to keep the sip sweet. However, it’s short-lived, as barrel char and walnut add a touch of earthy complexity and mild bitterness. Meanwhile, heat slowly ramps up but dissipates quickly in this medium-length finish. Aged oak is the star here, and despite its dryness, it helps add just enough distinction that makes the finish work.

Fanged Pursuit is sourced from Kentucky, unlike some of the brand’s more recent Tennessee sourced counterparts. This creates many ideas about where this bourbon is originally from. Being Diageo, it could be unused old Bulleit stock, which would have been from the days when Four Roses contract-distilled for them. It could also be from Beam, who seems to have a surplus of bourbon in this age range lately with their Harden’s Creek and Old Grand-Dad releases. Though Fanged Pursuit features a pronounced nutty note, it isn’t the typical peanut note found in many Beam bourbons and is also noticeably fruitier. Heaven Hill, or less likely, Buffalo Trace, could also be sources. Still, it’s too hard to tell as it was also likely aged in Stitzel-Weller rickhouses for some years, which would have affected the flavor profile to a noticeable degree, making  its original source less distinguishable. So, like many Orphan Barrel releases, the origin is unclear.

With Fanged Pursuit, Orphan Barrel continues its trend of releasing bourbons in the 15-20 year old range, which it has done since its inception. Because of the brand’s sub-100 proof point and what many assume is heavy filtering, many of its bourbons tend to taste surprisingly similar. A sweet, fruit-filled flavor profile against dry aged oak typically dominates Orphan Barrel’s releases, and for the most part, they drink well, even if otherwise unremarkable. Part of that is also true for Fanged Pursuit. The mouthfeel begins on the thin side, but surprisingly holds a good deal of flavor for its 92 proof. This might be because this is a non-chilled filtered bourbon, a first for the company. Its fruitiness, mixed with a good amount of aged oak and other savory notes, combine to make a well-aged sipping bourbon that stands out among the few other high-aged bourbons on the market.

Whether you love or hate the Orphan Barrel brand, value is typically an aspect of their releases that seems dialed in. We’ve seen a range of recent releases between 13-15 years old command high to even higher asking prices depending on the producer and proof point. Fanged Pursuit’s 17 year old age statement makes its $200 MSRP seem fairly reasonable in 2025. High proof seekers will balk at the release’s proof, but if the sip didn’t meet the typical quality threshold consumers expect from Orphan Barrel releases, there would be more reason to worry. Last year, we saw Old Grand-Dad 16 Year at 100 proof for $190, the continued release of Elijah Craig 18 Year (90 proof/$180), and Knob Creek 18 Year (100 proof/$200). So its pricing lines up with its competition, and it therefore depends on whether knowing a bourbon's origin is more important to you than if a particular flavor profile speaks to you or not. Given where the market is, the price lines up with previous high-aged releases over the last 12-18 months.

Fanged Pursuit is “more of the same” from the Orphan Barrel brand. There are distinctions between their bourbon releases, especially their Tennessee-sourced ones, such as the more recent Copper Tongue, but many share similar qualities and flavors. They remain one of the best places to find high-aged bourbon at “reasonable” prices and typically have wide availability upon release. There hasn’t been an Orphan Barrel release in many years that has truly moved the needle, and you could say the brand’s best years are behind them. While there is some truth to that, what they continue to put out with their bourbon and rye releases are of good enough quality, price, and flavor to appeal to a wide range of bourbon drinkers. Fanged Pursuit isn’t the most exciting release Orphan Barrel has put out, but the 17 years it spent in the barrel results in a very enjoyable sip.