The Last Call

          When Heaven Hill announced that the very first batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye would become an ongoing A, B, and C batch release series, it immediately grabbed the attention of rye fans and bourbon drinkers alike. Elijah Craig’s barrel proof bourbon line already carries a loyal following, so the idea of bringing that same treatment over to rye whiskey felt like a natural next step. The hype hit hard almost instantly, especially after this release earned Whiskey Advocate’s Whiskey of the Year for 2025.      Finding a bottle turned into a hunt for many people. Shelves cleared quickly, secondary prices climbed a bit, and most drinkers were left hoping they’d eventually stumble across one at retail. That’s exactly what happened here months later: sitting quietly on a shelf at only slightly above SRP. At first glance, this bottle almost feels understated for a barrel proof release. The proof lands at a fairly low 54% ABV, and even...

     There are few bottles in the whiskey world as immediately recognizable and Old Fitzgerald is high on that list. That iconic decanter shape has long made the Heaven Hill release a collector’s trophy, often tucked away behind glass or proudly displayed on a bar cart. But 2025 brings something different: a shelf-stable version of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, with the promise of wider availability and a more approachable price point. Ironically, just as I found this 7-year version, I was also pulled for Priority Access at Total Wine and snagged a 9-year decanter release, making this the perfect time to finally dive into the Old Fitz lineup for the very first time.      What’s interesting about this release is that it represents a shift for Old Fitzgerald, moving from high-demand, allocated decanters to something that may eventually become a true shelf option. Depending on where you find it, the bottle may or may not come with the velvety bag, but the pr...