Pappy Van Winkle bourbon's upcoming release brings more bottles than usual. Here's what to know
Great news for bourbon collectors and Pappy Van Winkle fans: this fall's release of six new expressions will include more bottles than usual.
Turns out, Buffalo Trace Distillery put away more whiskey to age than usual 10 years ago and ended up with a higher yield than typical when moving from barrel to bottle, which means more whiskey for you to enjoy.
This year's release of the Family Reserve 15-Year-Old has been noted as particularly delicious by the sensory experts at Buffalo Trace, describing it as, "an unbelievably opulent and flawless bourbon that takes wood and distillate to its absolute pinnacle."
The wheated recipe used by Buffalo Trace to make its Weller and Van Winkle bourbons allow for longer aging, in some cases two decades or more than the traditional rye recipe used in most bourbon It also results in a smoother and somewhat sweeter flavor.
This year marks a special milestone as it is the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace Distillery.In 2002, the Van Winkles entered into an agreement with Buffalo Trace to produce, age, and bottle all its whiskeys, entrusting its wheated mash bill exclusively to the distilling team at Buffalo Trace to continue the family legacy started more than 125 years prior.
While it will still be a limited release, there will be more bottles available in 2022. The annual Van Winkle collection release consists of six whiskeys. Suggested retail prices are:
- Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10-Year-Old, 107 proof ($69.99)
- Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12-Year-Old, 90.4 proof ($79.99)
- Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old, 95.6 proof ($119.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old, 107 proof ($119.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old, 90.4 proof ($199.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old, 95.6 proof ($299.99)
The Van Winkle Whiskeys will be available starting in October in limited supply.
Though the retail pricing remains at what is considered a fair price, there is no control Buffalo Trace and Van Winkle can take over the prices retailers charge. Bourbon enthusiasts should be careful to avoid online resellers such as private Facebook groups, Craigslist and other online marketplaces. Buffalo Trace Distillery has reportedly seen an increase in consumers buying Van Winkle bourbons from private sellers, only to find out later the product inside is counterfeit.
"We caution people to only buy from a licensed retailer; do not buy from a private seller, even if it’s someone you know, as you don’t know where they got the whiskey. The counterfeiters have gotten very sophisticated with their technology, so it pays to be safe," said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer of Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Consumers who believe they have been duped should not drink anything that is questionable and can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or contact their State Attorneys General office.
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Here are some more details about the six expressions being released this fall:
Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10-Year-Old, 107 proof
This tawny-colored bourbon is very sweet with notes of honey, dulce de leche, caramel corn, rooibos tea, and lightly toasted nuts. Hints of wheat and corn are present which enhances the complexity.The bourbon has a medium-bodied palate with dried fruit and nuts. Each sip finishes with a very long bold wave of floral honey, caramel, and toasted barrel flavors which counter the weight of the alcohol. The finish is an elegant balance between oak, grain, and maturation.
Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12-Year-Old, 90.4 proof
This brilliant amber bourbon has a rich and decadent nose with butterscotch, toffee, vanilla, and hints of nectarine and satsuma adding to the complexity. There is still a wisp of bready wheat present balanced with the spicy and rich oak notes. Butterscotch and toffee are prominent in the taste but there are also hints of spiced praline which contribute to the long, round finish that is sweet without being cloying. The finish shows that oak, the right distillate, and patience can create unparalleled depth and balance.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old, 95.6 proof
Rich copper rye with a complex aroma, and notes of toasted pumpernickel, plum, fig, and sweet tobacco. The smooth taste has a medium-to-full-bodied palate bursting with bold flavors of toffee, caraway, dried cherry, and a hint of leather and mint. The finish is a "symphony of flavors that sits endlessly on the palate."
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Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old, 107 proof
This brilliant copper bourbon has intense sweet brown notes like maple, caramelized sugar, toffee and toasted almond. Waves of caramel and toffee meld into memories of fresh-baked holiday spice cookies made with molasses. The mouthfeel is rich, supple, full-bodied and briefly veers toward decadent before the wood influences lend a balancing dryness. The finish is long and complex.
Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old, 90.4 proof
A dark amber bourbon with ruby highlights, this full-bodied bourbon has a forefront of leather with complementary notes of smoke, warm tobacco, treacle, espresso, and charred oak. The complex taste reveals new flavors in each sip, and the bourbon has a layered, bold, nuanced finish.
Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old, 95.6 proof
This rich mahogany bourbon has a nose reminiscent of a crisp fall day with the aromas of ripe red apples, cherries, and tobacco. Wood is the starring taste with supporting notes of caramel, apple, apricot, leather, walnuts and vanilla crème bruleé. A long-lasting and rich finish opens with bold flavors of oak and caramel that tease the palate before fading slowly and elegantly until the next sip.
Reach food reporter Dahlia Ghabour at dghabour@gannett.com.
