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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Jim Beam Black
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Jim Beam Black sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +2 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$22 – $28 ~$120 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Jim Beam Black does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 2/4 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).