Old Fitzgerald

Old Fitzgerald is the wheated bourbon Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle built into a premium label at Stitzel-Weller. The trademark dates to 1884; W.L. Weller took the name rights in 1925. Heaven Hill bought the Bernheim distillery in 1999, brand included, and distills it now at 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley. The wheat is what makes it soft instead of spicy.

Since spring 2018 it has been a bottled-in-bond decanter series in a replica 1950s diamond bottle, out each spring and fall. Every edition is age stated, 8 to 19 years, at 100 proof. The 7 Year, added June 2025 at $60, keeps that recipe on the shelf year-round.