Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Years Old 2010 100% Stitzel-Weller

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old 2010 is a particularly significant bottling — 100% Stitzel-Weller juice, distilled before the Buffalo Trace transition fully replaced the original stocks. Each barrel ages for 23 years and is carefully selected from the heart of the warehouse before bottling. This whiskey is intended to be enjoyed neat.

The Van Winkle Bourbons pay homage to one of the whiskey industry’s founding families. Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle began at W.L. Weller & Sons as a traveling whiskey salesman and eventually became President of Stitzel-Weller Distillery, building a reputation in the industry that was second to none. His son Julian Jr. operated the distillery from 1964 until the family sold it in 1972, then formed J.P. Van Winkle and Son and created the Old Rip Van Winkle label as a side venture in case his son Julian III wanted to come into the business.

Julian III took over the business in 1981 with a wife and four young children. The premium bourbon business was in a lull, but Julian purchased the Old Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky for barrel storage and bottling. The quality of Old Rip Van Winkle sold itself — Julian III’s impeccable palate created a stir in the industry. Buffalo Trace bought the W.L. Weller label in 1999 (with nearly the same recipe Pappy used), and beginning May 2002 has produced Van Winkle bourbons using Pappy’s exact recipe. This 2010 release at 23 years carries the original Stitzel-Weller distillate from the pre-Buffalo Trace era.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Early caramel and cream with soft notes of oak, nuts, and leather
• Palate: Sweet — vanilla, maple, and honey joined by complementary citrus and spice
• Finish: Long-lasting oak finish with many of the early flavors

Specs

• Distillery: Distilled at Stitzel-Weller; bottled at Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year
• Provenance: 2010 Release, 100% Stitzel-Weller juice
• Size: 750ml

Browse all Pappy Van Winkle at Wooden Cork.