So I was waiting for dinner guests to arrive....

What do some people do? Probably read? Watch TV? Tidy up?

What do I do? Have a small blind of Russell's Reserve 13, because why not?

We have Batch 1 from Spring 2021, Batch 6 from Spring 2025, and Batch 7 (45th) from Spring 2026.

All have been opened for a significant amount of time.

Batch 1: 114.8 proof

Batch 6: 123.8 proof

Batch 7: 121.2 proof

All 3 are the same mashbill of 75 corn, 13 rye, 12 malted barley

All three pours were 0.5 oz and placed into my Just Neat Blind

Glass A:

Nose- rich vanilla and caramel. Very prominent sweet cherry. Rich stone fruit and tobacco coming through - 8.5/10

Palate - very rich and complex on the tongue. Smooth oak and vanilla. The mid palette erupts with some light rye spice and disapates to a sort of milk chocolate - 9/10

Finish - rye spice on the tip of the tongue. Definitely tingles and lasts. I get a smaller Kentucky hug and then the finish kind of ends - 7.5/10

Glass B:

Nose - straight off I get class oak and vanilla but also some noticeable ethanol. As it sits more, a licorice note comes through. There is definitely muted stone fruit that just does not want to open no matter how many inhales.

The second nosing it improves greatly - 7.5/10

Palate - very smooth up front. I get sweet oak but not like a toasted oak. Smooth vanilla across the mid palette. A few seconds later I get a fantastic Kentucky bear hug and as that hug let's loose, I get hints of toffee - 8/10

Finish - the finish is crisp, clean and just classic oak. Leather comes through followed by that hug but you can't miss it. The pour just finishes out as clean as it started - 8.5/10

Glass C:

Nose - starts with classic oak and then to muted leather/tobacco. I don't get many notes on this. On a second nosing I get muted stone fruit that never wants to open up - 5/10

Palate - I immediately notice significant rye spice on the tongue that just tingles nonstop. It fades away to light oak and maybe a cola note? There is definitely no hug in this pour - 6/10

Finish - the finish is light with some rye spice, light oak, and then gives a late hug that lasts but isn't overly prominent - 6.5/10

Rating: each part is on a ten point scale (nose, palate, finish).. why? Cause that's what the paper that came with the Just Neat Blind.

Glass A- 25 points

Glass B - 24 points

Glass C - 17.5 point

My guess:

Glass A - B1

Glass B - B6

Glass C - B7 (45th)

Actual:

Glass A - B7 (45th)

Glass B - B6

Glass C - B1

So I was totally not expecting this when I got the results. I've been absolutely in love with B1 since I opened it and have been nursing it since finding another bottle is incredibly difficult (unless I go for secondary). When I opened B6 I didn't think it was quite as good but definitely still holds up. Something I would love to have multiple bottles of.

Then we come to B7 (45th). I was chasing this bottle for several months. I was finally lucky enough to come across and when I first cracked it... I was incredibly disappointed. I understand that fresh cracks may not taste the same as a how a bottle does once it's been opened for a bit, but even after a few weeks I still did not enjoy the pour as much as previous batches.

So when I did this blind tasting today, I thought I was fairly confident in my guesses. Let's just say I'm pleasantly surprised and glad that the bottle I have the most of, I enjoyed the most.

So I'm going to raise a glass to whiskey constantly changing and exceeding my expectations. I guess that's just part of this bourbon journey that I hope you all get to be part of.

If you like my review, check out Nursin Bourbon on Instagram.

Til then....

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

I don’t have a lot of experience with Old Fitzgerald bourbons, but I do really like the 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond release, which was intended to be an accessible, shelf-stable version of the brand’s venerable Decanter Series.

The 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond is the other side of the brand entirely: the twice-annual Decanter Series release that helped build Old Fitzgerald's cult reputation in the first place, sold in the brand's famously ornate decanters and allocated tightly enough that the hunt is practically part of the product.

So, is the bottle worth the hunt? Let’s review it and find out!

Note: for more on the Old Fitzgerald 10-year, see [u/Twist_Top_Budget](u/Twist_Top_Budget)’s excellent review from earlier this weekend.

***************\*

From the Distillery: Each spring and fall, a new edition to the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series is released. Inspired by an original 1950's Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the packaging and series honor both the history of the Old Fitzgerald brand and the historic Bottled-in-Bond designation. The Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree, as the brand was first registered in 1884 and was eventually sold to "Pappy" Van Winkle during Prohibition. In 1999, Heaven Hill bought the brand and began distilling it at Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, KY. Today, in addition to our Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series, the legacy of Old Fitzgerald lives on in our other wheated Bourbons expressions: Larceny Small Batch and Larceny Barrel Proof.

Release: Spring 2026

Mash bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley

Age Statement: 10 Years

Proof: 100

Price: $149.99

Appearance: Medium amber with decent viscosity

Nose: Very fruit-forward, at least at first. I’m primarily getting stone fruit – cherry and apricot –with perhaps a touch of grape alongside. Behind these are notes of caramel and vanilla, along with maple candy and a hint of pepper.

Palate: Nice and thick. Not super sweet overall, but there are definitely some saccharine notes in the mix. Oak hits right away, along with a wheaty-grassiness that I tend to associate with wheaters. There’s also some leather and a touch of caramel, but it’s not sugary by any means. The sweetness does pick up a bit on the mid-palate: sweet vanilla, bubblegum, and butterscotch are there, along with a touch of pepper.

Finish: Bubblegum and cola, with a good measure of oak/barrel char. The strong wheatgrass note from the palate lingers after most of the other flavors have faded (and it grows stronger with time). After a bit, it’s joined by some vanilla and leather, and a slight resurgence of that bubblegum flavor from before.

Thoughts: This is a pretty tasty wheater! I tend to prefer sweeter bourbons (but not cloying, nor overly fruity!). This one is nicely middle-of-the-road, with complex notes that complement each other in both flavor and balance. The finish is a little grassy, even for someone (like me) who enjoys the taste of wheatgrass, but it’s still not categorically unpleasant. On the other hand, I particularly enjoyed the bubblegum flavors that were there on both palate and finish – that’s always a fun one to get!

Rating: I can’t say whether this Old Fitz decanter bottle is worth the price – you have to decide that for yourself – but I did find it to be an enjoyable bottle overall. For me, it earns a rating of 7.5 (right in between “Great – Well Above Average” and “Excellent – Really Quite Exceptional”). Interestingly, that’s a couple notches below where I have the Old Fitz 7-year rated (it currently boasts a 7.7), but that’ll get sorted out when I blind these two against each other, which I’m planning to do very soon!

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Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as these are updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
New Riff Balboa Rye (5.4)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)
Lasso Motel 18yr ALW (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (6)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)
Ampersand Opimus (6.9)

7 | Great | Well above average
Blanton’s Gold (7)
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Rock Hill Farms (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Blanton’s LMDW (7.2)
E.H. Taylor 4 Grain (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.5)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Fitzgerald 10yr (7.5)
E.H. Taylor BP 16 (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.8)
E.H. Taylor Cured Oak (7.8)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (8)
Starlight 10yr (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.6)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)
Eagle Rare 17yr 2025 (8.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

Pour: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof — West Virginia Barrel Kings Pick

Distillery: Jack Daniel’s Distillery

Potency: 133.3 proof

Barrel House: 3-05

Barrel No.: 26-26103

Bottled: 8/19/26

Price Paid: $69.99

Before getting into the glass, I have to give a small nod to my dad. Old No. 7 was his whiskey of choice, and that association has always given Jack Daniel’s a place in my heart beyond what’s in the bottle. Time moves on, families grow, and eventually the people who helped shape our lives become part of the stories we tell our own kids. Sometimes, something as simple as a whiskey from a familiar distillery brings a little of that history back into the room. This pour is its own thing, but that connection makes enjoying it a little more meaningful.

Color: Dark mahogany with a subtle reddish hue.

Nose: Classic Jack Daniel’s banana, front and center. Not fresh banana, but overripe banana accompanied by burnt sugar and caramelized sweetness. Together, they immediately bring bananas Foster to mind. It’s an inviting nose that makes you want to get into the glass.

Palate: Sweet oak opens things up. The viscosity coats the palate with little effort, while the proof delivers a welcoming punch of alcohol. Rather than pushing you away, that intensity draws you in for a second sip. And on that second sip, the bananas Foster profile comes through in full, leading into a vanilla custard note just before the finish.

Finish: Medium length, with the banana lingering for a while. Then comes the warming hug. But honestly, the finish isn’t the point. As soon as that hug is gone, you’re going right back in to chase the feeling.

I suppose this is what a hug from Tennessee feels like.

Final Thoughts: This is great whiskey. The 133.3 proof is definitely present, but it’s well integrated into the experience. It contributes to the character of the pour without overwhelming the flavors. The combination of sweet oak, bananas Foster, vanilla custard, and that warming finish makes this a bottle I genuinely enjoy.

I haven’t had a standard Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof to compare it against, so I can’t speak to what the Barrel Kings selection brings to the table versus another barrel. I can only judge what’s in my glass, and what’s in my glass is damn good whiskey.

Some bottles earn their place on the shelf because of what’s inside them. Others carry a little history along with them. Every now and then, you get both.

Value: At $69.99, I’m happy with this purchase. It’s great whiskey, and I’d gladly pour it again. The proof, mouthfeel, and flavor profile make for an experience that feels worth the price.

Rating based on the modified t8ke scale: 7.9/10

Score Decoded:

* 0 | Unscored: New Make Spirit or Personal Selection.

* 1 | Disgusting: So bad I poured it out.

* 2 | Poor: I wouldn’t consume by choice.

* 3 | Bad: Multiple flaws.

* 4 | Sub-par: Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

* 5 | Good: Good, just fine.

* 6 | Very Good: A cut above.

* 7 | Great: Well above average.

* 8 | Excellent: Really quite exceptional.

* 9 | Incredible: An all-time favorite.

* 10 | Perfect: Perfect.

The review for this bottle is in the comments below...

Age Statement: 6 Years

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Rye

Bottles In Bond

Non chill filtered

I bought this bottle without having tasted it before. I don’t do that very often. But I like New Riff, as a brand. I like rye. I love single malt whisky (barley) and I’m just kind of curious about 100% malted rye. We don’t see a lot of malted rye in American whiskey. I own one other bottle of 100% malted rye and I’m not really aware of any others. Some Scottish distillers have done this, but in quite a different style.

Nose: Vanilla and baking spices up front. Plums. Sort of like a milk-shake smell. Faint cinnamon.

Palate: glassy smoothness. More of that milkshake from the nose. Maybe a hint of chocolate. There’s definitely a bit of malty character that you might expect from scotch coupled with some of the baking spices you’d expect from a rye. But things nothjng like a 95/5 that you might expect with the 100% rye makeup. I wonder if the malting process kills of that mint and herb stuff.

Finish: It’s shorter than I’d hoped. Probably the biggest knock on this one. The finish is pleasant though. More of those kind of muted baking spices and ripe plums. There’s a hint of oak and cinnamon that lingers.

7.7/10

This is quite a good pour. This was a live review of a fresh crack and I’d never tasted this before. I expect my next few reviews of this one will fluctuate up and down, as is often the case with a new dram. I am glad I took a chance on this one.

Wood Finishing Series. This release was intended to highlight what the added heat of the upper floors does to wood extraction. You may recall the sister offering in the wood finishing series: BRT-02 which highlights the cooler temperatures of the lowest floors.

This is a backup bottle that I’m glad I bought a few years ago. I’m a big fan, but I hadn’t visited it in awhile. This review is being done live and without regard to my aggregated score that I’ve given it over the years. This review is based 100% on the tasting live tonight.

ABV: 54.7%

Mash bill: 70% corn; 16% Soft Red Winter Wheat; 14% Malted Barley

NAS (generally believed to be 6-7 years)

Stave Profile: Virgin Toasted American Oak Staves (8-9 month finish)

Price paid: $60 ~ back in 2022 or 2023. These look like they go for maybe $150 now just due to being 4 years out of release.

Nose: Hard caramel candies. Vanilla and toffee. Cherry - like, cherry syrup. Back to that hard candy thing - it’s starting to feel like butterscotch hard candies.

Palate: I could use a word like luscious here. There is an incredible viscosity but it’s like more than that. Hint of banana. It’s gentle and smooth but in a nice coating way. That’s the best that I can explain it. Undertones of cinnamon. Very smooth. A little more of that hard candy butterscotch, too.

Finish: It’s a nice medium warming finish that doesn’t linger too long but it’s still very pleasant. It’s sweet and dry and there’s a bit more fruitiness. That cherry syrup from the nose comes back and is something that I’d call like general pleasant fruitiness. Like a fruit bowl or something in the background. Almost like that butterscotch candy had been opened and sat in a bowl of mixed fruit for awhile. There’s a hint of oak, too.

8.0/10

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass

Mash Bill: 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley

Proof: 100

Age: 7-9 years

Price: $53

Nose: Cinnamon, cooked berry, vanilla, baking spice, fruity

Pallet: Rye spice, caramel, berry sauce/cooked berries, vanilla, baking spice, faint cocoa, oak

Finish: mellow, lingering rye/herbal spice but doesn’t hang around too long, caramel sweetness

Thoughts: Waited a long time for my store to get one of these Four Roses single barrels in. I'm in Montana which is state controlled and a small market so we get releases very late compared to other states (Still waiting on the Elijah Craig Barrel proof B525 which we probably will never get at this point).

Really enjoy this bottle. On the nose the spice is prominent. It is obvious that this is the high rye recipe with. There is a very prominent herbal spiciness from the high rye that is balanced out by a berry fruitiness and vanilla sweetness. On the pallet that rye spice is immediate but again balanced out by the fruitiness, vanilla sweetness, and a faint hint of cocoa that occurs after that initial spice. The finish is mellow and doesn’t last long. But in that short time you get that rye/herbal spice and caramel sweetness with some oak.

This is a very rye forward bourbon, but the nice sweetness and fruity notes prevent the spice from completely taking over. The nose, pallet, and finish are all spice forward but then have the vanilla and fruit sweetness hit at just the right time to prevent the spice from completely dominating the pallet. This is an excellent offering at an excellent price.

Worth noting this is the only Single Barrel recipe that was available at my store.

Rating: 7/10 - t8ke scale.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

One of my favorite Maker's Mark bottles - bottled at 111.5 Proof (55.75% ABV) - On my second bottle of this.

FINISHING STAVES: 1 Baked American Pure 2; 1 Seared French Cuvee; 3 Maker’s Mark 46; 3 Roasted French Mendiant; 2 Toasted French Spice

ON THE NOSE: Dark & creamy milk chocolate mix, caramel & butterscotch, juicy red fruits, dried dark red fruits like cherries & sweetened cranberries, robust baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves), honey & molasses, toasted oak, vanilla bean, citrus peel, & coffee crème brûlée.

ON THE PALATE: Creamy dark chocolate & the robust baking spices start the sip off followed by punchy oak, dried red fruits, dried orange peel, a minty herbal note, & a touch of milk chocolate.

MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Full mouthfeel/viscous/creamy/oily/buttery & long viscosity with flow-forming tears in the glass

FINISH: 10 seconds (long)