Heaven Hill Distillery, a cornerstone of Kentucky’s bourbon scene, has whiskey fans buzzing with the announcement of its Spring 2025 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond release. This ninth-year edition, the 15th in the distillery’s coveted decanter series, is already shaping up to be a must-have for collectors and bourbon lovers alike. Alongside it, Heaven Hill is rolling out a new Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, adding another layer of excitement to the distillery’s latest offerings. Both releases showcase Heaven Hill’s knack for blending tradition with innovation, making them stand out in a crowded whiskey market.
The Old Fitzgerald brand carries a rich history that stretches back to the late 1800s. It began with John Fitzgerald, who started producing bourbon in Kentucky in 1889. Over the decades, the brand evolved, finding a home at the famed Stitzel-Weller distillery, where Pappy Van Winkle transformed it into a wheated bourbon known for its smooth, soft flavor. The brand saw various owners, including a stint under Diageo, before Heaven Hill acquired it in 1999 as part of the Bernheim Distillery purchase. Since 2018, Heaven Hill has released Old Fitzgerald twice a year—spring and fall—as part of its Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, turning it into one of the most sought-after bourbons on the market.
The Spring 2025 Old Fitzgerald release is a nine-year-old bourbon, distilled in spring 2016 and bottled in spring 2025. As a bottled-in-bond whiskey, it adheres to strict standards set by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This means it’s made at one distillery during a single distillation season, aged for at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). These rules ensure a level of quality and authenticity that bourbon enthusiasts prize. The whiskey comes in the series’ signature ornate decanter, complete with a green label—a nod to the spring release—and a design inspired by the diamond-shaped decanters of the 1950s. Each bottle also features a tax strip showing the distillation and bottling dates, adding to its transparency and appeal for collectors.
What sets Old Fitzgerald apart is its wheated mashbill, which uses wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain. This choice gives the bourbon a softer, rounder flavor compared to the spicier rye-based bourbons that dominate the market. According to Heaven Hill’s official tasting notes, the Spring 2025 edition has a bright copper color and a nose that evokes apple pie, with a focus on the crust. On the palate, it delivers classic bourbon notes of vanilla and butterscotch, layered with toasted cereal and apple pie spices. The finish is creamy and viscous, with baked apple flavors giving way to oak and cinnamon. While the exact number of bottles hasn’t been disclosed, the release is allocated, meaning it will be tough to find at its suggested retail price of $129.99. Bourbon hunters will need to act fast when it hits shelves in the coming weeks, as previous editions have often sold out quickly or appeared on secondary markets at inflated prices.
Heaven Hill’s commitment to craftsmanship shines through in this release. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll emphasized the distillery’s dedication to the Old Fitzgerald legacy, noting that the nine-year aging process highlights the richness of time and the bottled-in-bond tradition. The decanter itself is a nod to history, featuring the brand’s iconic key graphic and the slogan “Your key to hospitality,” which have been part of Old Fitzgerald’s identity since the 1940s. For collectors, the bottle’s retro design and limited availability make it as much a display piece as a drinking whiskey.
Alongside the Old Fitzgerald release, Heaven Hill is introducing a new Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This follows the successful debut of the Grain to Glass line last year, which earned praise for its unique approach. The whiskey is made from specific grain varietals grown at Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Kentucky, and sourced from Beck’s Hybrids. Its mashbill consists of 52% corn (Beck’s 6225 varietal), 35% rye, and 13% malted barley, giving it a higher rye content than most Heaven Hill bourbons. Aged for six years at the Cox’s Creek rickhouse, it’s bottled non-chill filtered at a barrel strength of 105 proof. This process preserves the whiskey’s full flavor, offering a bolder, more robust profile than the wheated Old Fitzgerald.
The Grain to Glass release also reflects Heaven Hill’s commitment to supporting local agriculture. As part of the launch, the distillery introduced the Family Farms First initiative, partnering with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit that helps farmers facing hardships or natural disasters. This community-focused effort adds a layer of purpose to the release, appealing to whiskey fans who value brands with a sense of responsibility.
Both the Old Fitzgerald and Grain to Glass bourbons highlight Heaven Hill’s ability to balance accessibility with exclusivity. While the distillery is known for affordable staples like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig, these limited releases cater to a growing audience of bourbon enthusiasts who crave something rare and distinctive. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, in particular, has become a unicorn bottle—hard to find at retail and highly prized in online whiskey communities. Previous editions are available through sites like ReserveBar, and the Grain to Glass whiskey can be found at retailers like Flaviar, though availability is limited.
For bourbon lovers, the Spring 2025 Old Fitzgerald release is a chance to own a piece of whiskey history. Its wheated profile, nine-year age statement, and elegant decanter make it a standout, while the Grain to Glass bourbon offers a bold, modern take on Kentucky whiskey. Whether you’re a collector hunting for the next big score or a casual drinker looking to savor something special, Heaven Hill’s latest releases are worth the chase. Just be ready to move quickly—these bottles won’t stay on shelves for long.
