Van Winkle Special Reserve is the perfect combination of age and proof. 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 whiskey. This fine bourbon can compete with any excellent cognac as an after-dinner drink. The overall impression is rich and deep.

Tasting Notes

See a brilliant, amber-orange color. Smell luscious, complex toffee. Taste a round, supple entry, leading to a dry, expansive, medium body. Enjoy notes of caramel, nuts, and brown spices with a lengthy, enveloping finish. It’s an outrageously smooth and decadent bourbon.

AWARDS (Most Recent Awards)

2016 95 points - Ultimate Spirits Challenge

2007 Gold Medal - Best in Class - International Wine & Spirits Competition

2005 Gold Medal - International Wine & Spirits Competition

"This 13-year breaks the mold, as it is one of the oldest rye whiskeys available today. The maturity it has achieved while aging is quite obvious when you take the first sip. It’s a truly unique and rewarding rye whiskey experience." -Paul Pacult

TASTING NOTES

A soft nose of chestnuts, spice, vanilla and fruit. Features flavors of cocoa, vanilla, spice, and white pepper. A long, warm and complex finish with caramel and spice combined with dry oak.

AWARDS (Most Recent Rewards)

2005 Bronze Medal - Whisky Magazine

2003 Bronze Medal - International Spirits Challenge

2000 Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

This bourbon was crafted according to our exclusive family wheated recipe. The smooth, oak flavor blends well with the barrel proof. Selected from barrels in the heart of our Kentucky warehouse, this bourbon has remained untouched for 15 years and unhurried by time. 

Tasting Notes

See a hazy, copper color. Taste a rich, supple entry, leading to a decadent, huge, full-bodied palate with intense caramel, toffee and peppery brown spice flavors. Then, enjoy a finish with an extreme, long, complex, evolving fade of spice and wood notes. Experts deem it a seductive, exotic and virtually flawless bourbon.

AWARDS (Most Recent Awards)

2019 Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Best Bourbon, 11-15 Years - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible

2016 Overall Winner, Best Age Statement Bourbon - World Whiskies Awards

2014 Bronze Medal - Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition

2014 Gold Medal; Bourbon American Whiskey 8 Years and Over - World Whiskies Awards

2013 Double Gold Medal; Best Small Batch Bourbon; Best Bourbon - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2013 Liquid Gold Award - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible

No other bourbon today can stand 20 years of aging, but this bourbon does it with style. “Pappy” Van Winkle was a true character. This bourbon, like “Pappy,” is full of personality that makes it a very special whiskey, and some might argue, one of our best bourbons. It has been put in the class of a fine after-dinner cognac. 

Tasting Notes

See a dark amber and dark orange cast. This full bodied bourbon is reminiscent of oiled leather, smoke, minerals, coffee and cigar boxes. Take in the endless ranges of aromatics and flavors. Enjoy the infinite finish.

Awards (Most Recent Awards)

2018 Double Gold Medal, Best Bourbon, Best Small Batch Bourbon - New York International Spirits Competition

2018 Bronze Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2018 Excellent

2016 Gold Medal, Best Age Statement Bourbon - World Whiskies Awards

2015 Chairman's Trophy; "Tried & True" - 98 points - Ultimate Spirits Challenge

2015 Winner, Best Bourbon - Age Statement - World Whiskies Awards

2014 Silver Outstanding Medal - International Wine & Spirits Competition

2014 Double Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Only the most careful and expensive distilling method can be used to create a whiskey as special as this one. These barrels were carefully selected from the heart of the warehouse for an added three years of aging. This signature whiskey is best enjoyed neat. Any ice or water will dilute its uniqueness.

Tasting Notes

See a deep amber red. Taste the various hints of caramel, ripe apples, cherries, oak wood and tobacco with a hint of chocolate. This bourbon finishes with a long-lasting and pleasant taste. Starts with a lot of wood flavors but leads to a nice sweet caramel finish.

Awards (Most Recent Awards)

2012 Extraordinary-Ultimate Recommendation - Chairman's Trophy Finalist - Ultimate Spirits Challenge

2008 Double Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2008 Gold Medal - Best in Class - International Wine & Spirits Competition

2008 Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2008 Silver Medal - Best in Class - International Wine & Spirits Competition

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.

Tasting Notes

See a rich, copper color. Smell enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Enjoy a fruity, medium-to full-bodied palate with intense dried fruit and toasted nuts notes. Each sip finishes with a very long, bold wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavors that balance the weight of the alcohol. It’s a big, bold, aged bourbon that has great balance for its high proof and flavor.

Awards (Most Recent Awards)

2013 Gold Medal - International Review of Spirits Award (BTI)

The Van Winkle 10, 12, and 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey 3 Pack Bundle is a collector's dream, offering a trifecta of exceptional expressions from the esteemed Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery:

• Van Winkle 10 Year Old Bourbon: This bourbon showcases a harmonious blend of caramel, vanilla, and oak, delivering a smooth and balanced palate.

• Van Winkle 12 Year Old Bourbon: With two additional years of aging, this bourbon offers a deeper complexity, featuring notes of butterscotch, baking spices, and leather, culminating in a luxurious finish.

• Van Winkle 15 Year Old Bourbon: Aged for an extended period, this bourbon presents a rich and velvety texture, with flavors of toffee, dark chocolate, and seasoned oak, providing a truly indulgent drinking experience.

This exclusive bundle is a rare opportunity to savor three iconic Van Winkle expressions, making it a prized addition to any whiskey connoisseur's collection.

Packing: 

Van Winkle 10 and 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey are esteemed expressions from the renowned Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. Each bottle offers a taste of exceptional craftsmanship and aging:

• Van Winkle 10 Year Old Bourbon: This bourbon boasts a balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, culminating in a smooth finish.

• Van Winkle 12 Year Old Bourbon: Aged for an additional two years, this bourbon offers a deeper complexity, with rich flavors of butterscotch, baking spices, and leather, delivering a long and satisfying finish.

These limited-release bourbons are highly sought after for their rarity and exceptional quality, making them prized additions to any whiskey collection.

Packing: 

Packing: