Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Smell
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year greets me with a lot of dark, rich, and musty honey, ripe cherry, orange, charred vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, and clove with hints of grain. Theres a lot of fragrant ripe fruits and wood spices, but the spices and oak are not at all harsh or biting.
This may be a wheated bourbon thing, but Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year has a lot of wood spices, but its not overly roasted or burnt, as well as this light dry hay that I also find in Makers Mark Cask Strength.
Pappy Van Winkle’s 12 Year Lot B
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Van Winkle Special Reserve is the perfect combination of age and proof in a bourbon. This sweet, full-bodied whiskey has been described by some as nectar. The 12 years of aging and medium proof seem to be just right in creating a very pleasant drink of American whiskey. This fine bourbon can compete with any excellent cognac as an after-dinner drink. The overall impression is rich and deep, were sure that youll keep reaching for Van Winkle Special Reserve bourbon time and time again.
In this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey youll see a brilliant, amber-orange color. The smell is luscious, complex toffee. Taste a round, supple entry, leading to a dry, expansive, medium body whiskey. Enjoy notes of caramel, nuts, and brown spices with a lengthy, enveloping finish. Its an outrageously smooth and decadent bourbon.
Tasking notes are highlighted by light aromas of dried mango, cocoa, fruit and spiced peach. Flavors of honey, oak and tobacco dance on the pallet make this whiskey like nectar and sippable like cognac. The finish is balanced and dry, with a lingering tingle.
My Review Of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
To get a taste of Pappy Van Winkle, I combed the bourbon whiskey menus of bars in Louisville, Kentucky. The best deal I found was a $28-pour of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year at The Silver Dollar. While there, others were also getting Pappy pours and taking photos with the bottle.
As a frugal person, I felt a heavy pressure to get the most out of the pricey Pappy pour. I closed my eyes. I asked for silence. I needed to savor every last drop.
The nose had a strong sweet caramel odor with baking spices and a hint of cocoa. The creamy texture coated my tongue and revealed a fruity, almost cherry-like palate. The oak came through and lingered for a pleasant, warm finish.
Overall, I appreciated the complex, smooth taste. If it were easily accessible, this would be a great daily sipper. I’d pay up to $200 for a bottle but not more. On the secondary market, where it sells for $800 and more, I think it’s overpriced.
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Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr
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This bourbon is bottled at nearly barrel proof. Just a splash of Kentucky limestone water is added after a decade of aging. Rich, yet smooth, this bourbon takes a back seat to none. It has a sweet vanilla nose with caramel, pecan and oak wood and a smooth, mellow flavor consisting of robust wheat, cherries and oak. It features a long, smoky wheat finish with hints of fruit, spice and oak tannins.
This product will be distributed via lottery. Shop other bourbons.
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Pappy Van Winkle’s 15 Year
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
This American bourbon is expressly produced according to the exclusive Van Winkle family wheated-recipe and specially selected from whiskey barrels in the heart of the aging warehouses, this bourbon remained undisturbed for 15 years to age in deep-charred heavy oak untouched by human hands, unhurried by time. Making it one of the most highly sought after whiskies.
In Pappys 15 Year old bourbon whiskey you will find an elegant and sweet aroma with caramel corn and vanilla. This wheated whiskey features big flavors of leather, oak and complex fruitiness. The finish is smooth with notes of spice and oak tannins.
All items will be shipped together.
Pappy began working at W.L. Weller & Sons first as a traveling whiskey salesman and eventually as the President of Stitzel-Weller Distillery. He helped shape the industry during and after Prohibition. Through his endeavors in the warehouse, the boardroom and on the road, he built a reputation in the bourbon industry that was second to none. Fine bourbon was his mission, and he accepted nothing less.
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Review: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Years Old
It has been many years since Drinkhacker reviewed anything with Winkle in its name. With Pappy hysteria season fast approaching, I thought Id take a look at last years release of the entry level Pappy, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Years Old. Purists may not think of this as Pappy, per se, because of the name, but it is every bit the same wheated mash bill that goes into the older Van Winkle stock. I reviewed this baby Pappy against the more readily available Weller 12 Years Old, which is a close cousin of the Van Winkles older brother, 12 Year Lot B. Confused? Thats potentially the point. Anyway. On to the tasting!
The nose on this one is classic: butterscotch and oak. It intensifies as it opens up with richer caramel and spice notes, but still remains rather straightforward. Compared against the Weller 12, at only 90 proof, theres the expected diminished intensity of a similar aroma. On the palate, Van Winkle 10 Year shows a light, silky body with big baking spice notes, nutmeg and cinnamon stick, and plenty of burnt sugar. The wood is well-integrated, showing some spice on the mid-palate with a warming, easy heat. The finish is sizable and lingers with caramel sauce, butterscotch pudding, and a little orange peel.
107 proof.
Where To Buy Pappy Van Winkle
Finding a bar that offers Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is easy, especially in large cities. Call your local bourbon bar or find its American whiskey menu online to see if it’s available. Prices vary from bar to bar, so shop around for a reasonable price.
The process for getting a bottle varies from state to state. If price isn’t an issue, check out the links in this article. If you decide to shop elsewhere, watch out for counterfeits and scams, especially if the bottle is selling for lower than 10 times the retail price.
Buying a bottle of Pappy at retail is the ultimate bourbon challenge. The process varies by state. Virginia does it by lottery. In some states, liquor stores announce when Pappy will be on the shelves, and you can camp out for your chance at a bottle. Other places put their allocated bottles out at random throughout the year.
Another strategy is to develop relationships with your local liquor stores. Drop-in regularly for odds and ends. For instance, if you want vodka and don’t care what kind, ask them what brand gives them the most significant profit margin and buy that one. Once you’ve developed a relationship, see if they can let you know when rare bottles come in.
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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Review
After finally trying the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 I can fully say I dont get the hype. Thats not to say that its not phenomenal bourbon, because it absolutely is, but Im not exactly sure its worth all of the hype. True this is the only one of the Van Winkle family I have tried so I cant really be considered an authority on all things Van Winkle , but at least for the 10 its not worth standing in line for hours or paying 3x+ retail for a bottle.
The Van Winkles got into the bourbon business when Julian was a traveling salesman for W.L. Weller and Sons wholesale house until he and a friend bought Weller and the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery that made bourbon for Weller. Pappy then ran the company and oversaw operations for over 30 years. Upon his death in 1965 his son Julian Jr. Took over.
In 1972 Julian Van Winkle was forced, by stockholders, to sell the distillery and its brands to other distilleries and companies. After the sell Julian Jr. brought back a pre-prohibition label he managed to keep the rights to called Old Rip Van Winkle and he used old stocks from the Stitzel-Weller distillery to fuel his brand.
If youve tried Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Id love to see what you think in the comments below.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA
Alcohol: 53.5%
Composition:
Price: $70 MSRP, but good luck with that
From the Van Winkle website:
This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.
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Pappy Van Winkle’s 10 Year
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
This bourbon whiskey is bottled at nearly barrel proof. Just a splash of Kentucky limestone water is added after a decade of aging. Rich, yet smooth, this bourbon takes a back seat to none.
A sweet vanilla nose with caramel, pecan and oak wood. Smooth, mellow flavor consisting of robust wheat, cherries and oak. Features a long, smoky wheat finish with hints of fruit, spice and oak tannins.
At 107 proof This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.
Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 years old – 45% abv This fine whiskey has as pleasant a taste as any whiskey around. The 10 full years of aging combine nicely with its 45% apy . A hint of caramel flavor is enjoyed when one tastes this fine hand-crafted bourbon. This bourbon has a “rich, plush texture.” Rated 90 — Beverage Tasting Institute Handmade Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Old Rip Van Winkle
Key Ingredients & Abv
Buffalo Trace uses their wheated bourbon mash bill in making the Pappy products, replacing the usual rye mash with wheat mash. Many alcohol enthusiasts believe that using wheat instead of rye results in smoother and sweeter bourbons. The other ingredients are corn and malted barley.
The distillers used Kentucky limestone water before bottling the liquor at varying proofs from 90.4 to 107.
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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Overview
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon is the youngest wheated bourbon and the youngest whiskey in the entire Van Winkle Line. At 107 proof and likely using the same wheated mashbill as Weller everything, its not so far off to say that this is sort of like 10 year old Weller Antique 107, but picked from a different set of barrels given its smaller bottle count and Van Winkle name.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything : Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one.Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
Buffalo Trace Lineup of Reviews
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Despite being the youngest of the annually released Van Winkle vintages, the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 2018 release provides an otherworldly tasting experience. The bottle is a fantastic entry point for those seeking their first sip of the Pappy Van Winkle magic.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year 2018 Release / 107 Proof
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What The Experts Have To Say About Pappy
I talked to a few experts about the Pappy phenomenon. Jeremy Johnson, the owner of the Louisville bar Meta and who made news for selling Pappy Jell-o shots, has tried several Pappy Van Winkle varieties. He prefers Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year and believes the rarest Pappy, Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year, isn’t nearly as good. But, he said neither is worth the secondary market prices. “Get something else,” Johnson said.
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year is a favorite of Fred Minnick, author of “Bourbon Curious.” He was slow to pass judgment when asked if it was overpriced. “Pappy means something to people,” Minnick said. “It’s special to people for the sake of it being what it is. It’s like the hunt and the effort is as important for people as the whiskey is.”
Legendary Buffalo Trace tour guide Freddie Johnson shared a similar sentiment. He said that drinking Pappy is about sharing a rare bottle with friends. You take it slow, and you tell them the story of how you got it. In that sense, Pappy is priceless.
With the experts divided, I knew I needed to try Pappy for myself. Here are my experiences with Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year and Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year.
All About Pappy Van Winkle
The Van Winkle bourbon whiskey products used more than 51% corn and rested the blend in new American charred oak casks for at least ten years. However, this brand rose above other whiskey products when it came to popularity.
Aside from endorsements of celebrity chefs like Anthony Bourdain, the Beverage Testing Institute also gave the product a 99/100 score. Most Pappy whiskey expressions also received many recognitions from San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition.
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Tasting Notes: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
Vital Stats: 107 proof
Nose: Very clean and soft, like a fresh-washed comforter. Notes of red-skinned plum, Rainier cherry, and fresh grain combine for a fruity, sweet nose reminiscent of summer cobbler.
Palate: On the palate its juicy and almost unctuous, with notes of sweet honey, soft tobacco, and caramel alongside a soft, quenching acidity like a ripe peach. The finish is surprisingly warm and gingery, with a long, lingering exit. The sensation is so plush rich and full-bodied without being hot. With water, aromas of white grape, Riesling, and Swedish fish gummy candies surface, and the palate leans woodier.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Taste & Aftertaste
I first taste a splash of honey, cherry, citrus, dried apple, and marshmallow followed by a lot of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, then roasted oak. There really is a lot of cherry, orange, and apple fruitiness as well as ample wood spices that provide a lot of flavor but no bite or harshness.
Whiskey is also for sharing, so I use Vivaplex, 12, Amber, 2 oz Glass Bottles, with Lids for smaller samples and Vivaplex, 12, Amber, 4 oz Glass Bottles, with Lids for larger ones. Full transparency This is an Amazon affiliate link so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else. Regardless, I actually use these myself.
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My Review Of Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year
While interviewing Henry Kwok, the owner of the bourbon bar Henry’s Place in Okemos, Michigan, I noticed a Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year on the top shelf. The aspect of bourbon culture that Kwok likes most is how quick people are to share, whether it’s tastes of fine bourbons or general help. So, when I mentioned I was writing about Pappy, Kwok was happy to give me a taste.
The nose balanced smokiness and sweetness. I enjoyed the complex combination of subtle flavors: campfire, fruit, and oak. The taste was smooth, with no notes dominating. The medium finish didn’t linger but wasn’t too short.
I love a good peaty scotch, so I preferred the smoky Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year over the 10 Year. Still, it’s wildly overpriced on the secondary market, starting at $2,500. However, I’d drop $300 on a bottle but not more.
Glencairn Whisky Glass Set
The Glencairn Whisky Glass is a revolutionary whiskey glass that really lets one savor the taste and complexity of fine whiskey. These are great to use for any of your Single Malt Whisky’s, Irish Whiskey’s, and also your single barrel bourbons. With the tapered mouth, you are able to really smell all of the nuances the whisky has to offer. Any malt advocate will love a Glencarin glass! Champagne, Brandy, Wine… each has its own glass. Yet whiskey, the worlds most complex spirit can be found served in anything from hi-ball tumblers to Paris goblets.
Glencairn Crystal solved the problem of identifying the ideal glass for whiskey, appropriately named the Glencairn Whiskey Glass. Designed by Raymond Davidson nearly 25 years earlier, its development involved pulling together the master blenders from the five largest whisky companies and asking them to perfect his initial design.
While the traditional style of whiskey glass is a cut crystal Old Fashioned whiskey tumbler, an iconic design that remains the most commonly used type of whisky glass. However, a tumbler does not hold and focus the aromas as much for the experience of the drinker as the other styles, which curve inwards towards the top of the glass. While not all drinkers may find the strong aroma produced by such glasses desirable, inward-curved glasses are often preferred by connoisseurs who consider the aroma especially important to the experience of a whiskey.
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