Orphan Barrel 17 Year Old Fanged Pursuit Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025) 75cl
Here is something we adore! Aged bourbon over 15 years old!
Orphan Barrel 17 Year Old Fanged Pursuit NV is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, part of Diageo`s Orphan Barrel Project. Aged for 17 years in charred American oak barrels, this non-chill filtered bourbon consists of a blend from undisclosed distilleries, contributing to its unique character
Influenced by the untamed spirit of Kentucky's Bourbon Heartland, this 17-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey embodies the elusive yet daring nature of its namesake: the bobcat.
Represented by the watchful lone bobcat that silently prowls the outskirts of the Bluegrass State distilleries, this extraordinary Fanged Pursuit emerges only after years of patient, undisturbed maturation in charred American Oak Barrels.
The bobcat's stealthy, deliberate movements reflect the aging process of this bourbon—unfolding with deliberate, measured precision, and a deep connection to its surroundings to reach its fullest potential. Just as sightings of a bobcat are rare, appearing only at dawn or dusk, Fanged Pursuit is a once-in-a-lifetime bourbon—crafted for a single release, never to be made again.
Fanged Pursuit is sourced from Kentucky, unlike some of the brand’s more recent Tennessee sourced counterparts. This creates many ideas about where this bourbon is originally from. Being Diageo, it could be unused old Bulleit stock, which would have been from the days when Four Roses contract-distilled for them. It could also be from Beam, who seems to have a surplus of bourbon in this age range lately with their Harden’s Creek and Old Grand-Dad releases. Though Fanged Pursuit features a pronounced nutty note, it isn’t the typical peanut note found in many Beam bourbons and is also noticeably fruitier. Heaven Hill, or less likely, Buffalo Trace, could also be sources. Still, it’s too hard to tell as it was also likely aged in Stitzel-Weller rickhouses for some years, which would have affected the flavor profile to a noticeable degree, making its original source less distinguishable. So, like many Orphan Barrel releases, the origin is unclear.
With Fanged Pursuit, Orphan Barrel continues its trend of releasing bourbons in the 15-20 year old range, which it has done since its inception. Because of the brand’s sub-100 proof point and what many assume is heavy filtering, many of its bourbons tend to taste surprisingly similar. A sweet, fruit-filled flavor profile against dry aged oak typically dominates Orphan Barrel’s releases, and for the most part, they drink well, even if otherwise unremarkable. Part of that is also true for Fanged Pursuit. The mouthfeel begins on the thin side, but surprisingly holds a good deal of flavor for its 92 proof. This might be because this is a non-chilled filtered bourbon, a first for the company. Its fruitiness, mixed with a good amount of aged oak and other savory notes, combine to make a well-aged sipping bourbon that stands out among the few other high-aged bourbons on the market.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Dessert-forward profile layered with red fruits like cherry and strawberry, plus rich notes of butterscotch, marshmallow, and toasted caramel. We also got creme brûlée or browned butter, and subtle notes of peanut brittle and leather. For a 17-year-old bourbon, the oak remains surprisingly reserved—more of a background note that adds structure without dominating.
Palate: Juicy, sweet, and shockingly flavourful for a 92 proof bourbon. Expect dark maraschino cherry, strawberry creme, and a soft wave of toasted sugar flavours. The oak becomes more prominent here than on the nose, but it remains well-balanced. The texture is smooth and rich, making this a standout pour that feels like it was made for slow sipping on special occasions. Just be sure to pause between sips to let the complexity shine.
Finish: Dry, with the oak asserting itself a bit more. Some of the fruitiness fades, replaced by hints of char, leather, and even a dry graham cracker note. Sweet flavours like marshmallow and butterscotch do reappear, but in a more subdued form. It’s a refined and lengthy finish, just a touch drier than expected.
About Orphan Barrel
Orphan Barrel was started to share barrels of delicious and rare whiskey. The stories of these exquisite expressions are captured in their artful labels. Our goal is to bottle these limited, small offerings for the world to try and for you to add to your whiskey collection.
Every Orphan Barrel is meticulously bottled, to ensure that these standout whiskeys are treated with the care they deserve – because some of them will only be available once. And once they're gone, they're gone forever.
Orphan Barrel is owned by Diageo
*please allow 7-14 days for delivery of this item
46% ABV
75cl
