This is a duel of the fancy bottle bourbons!  I really should have included some Willett based on that description but for Father’s Day 2019 I opted for Blanton’s and Old Fitzgerald.  Two great options to say the least! 

Blanton’s

So, I’m a big fan of the Buffalo Trace Distillery!  Blanton’s was first launched in the mid 80’s by master distiller Elmer T. Lee (that reminds me that in our next Bourbon Battle I’m breaking out some Elmer T. Lee).  Blanton’s is bottled at 93 proof and proclaims itself as the original single barrel bourbon whiskey. 

It’s a well-balanced bourbon but a little easy/soft when compared to the slightly higher proof opponent (Old Fitzgerald).  This is a bottle that I break out when friends come over; it’s a solid bourbon that I don’t mind letting others drink!

Old Fitzgerald

Not a lot of whiskey’s are still bottled-in-bond.  The bottled-in-bond regulations were developed to ensure quality.  That means the whiskey was approved and monitored by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. It’s less necessary to follow these rules today, but it’s a cool part of the heritage.

So, before you even try this Bourbon you can’t help but be drawn in by the bottle.  The bourbon itself is simple and straightforward.  It’s easy on the nose and lingers with notes of oak.  Given the challenge of getting a bottle in West Fargo, ND…this is NOT a bottle I would break out with most friends.

Both are good but the winner this round goes to Old Fitzgerald.