When consumers sip a glass of Old Fitzgerald, they are partaking of a rich history and distinguished heritage. A Look Back in Time - John E. Fitzgerald’s original “private label” Bourbon was introduced in 1870 and soon became the exclusive Bourbon of railroad and steamship barons and was deeply integrated in the culture of the Old South. Around 1900, “Fitz” finally released his brand to the Bourbon-loving American public and also began marketing in Europe. At time of its introduction, “Old Fitz”, as it became known, was one of the few Bourbons distilled in the pot still method, and continued to be made that way until about 1913. During Prohibition, when the Bourbon was one of a select few distilled under government supervision for the national medicinal trade, “Old Fitz” was acquired by colourful, old-fashioned whiskey man Pappy Van Winkle who introduced the “Whisper of Wheat” to the original recipe. The rest is Bourbon history.