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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +3 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 ~$80 less | ~$110 – $180 |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).