Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Short Overview of the Distillery
Old Rip Van Winkle is a family-owned bourbon brand with roots dating back to Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr.'s sales journeys in Kentucky in 1893. The brand is known for its distinctive wheated-mashbill, patient long-term aging, and coveted Family Reserve releases. Since 2002, production has been secured through a partnership with Buffalo Trace, which has enabled continued tradition and bottles that often require patience to find.
History
The story begins in 1893, when the young Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr. started as a traveling salesman and developed an ambition for high quality. In 1935 he opened the Stitzel Weller Distillery in Shively and introduced a new grain recipe in which wheat replaced rye. After Pappy’s era, Julian Jr. rose, but the sale of Stitzel-Weller in 1972 became a turning point. Julian III rebuilt parts of the legacy in 1977 by acquiring Old Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg and began aging, processing, and bottling Old Rip Van Winkle products. In the mid-1990s, an exceptionally high rating for Pappy 20 Year brought significant recognition. Preston Van Winkle joined the operation in 2001, and in 2002 a partnership with Buffalo Trace secured stable production and supply. In recent years the family has enjoyed global demand and worked on sustainability and fundraising, while maintaining a focus on tradition and quality.
Raw Materials and Production
The core of Van Winkle products is a wheated mashbill, where wheat replaces rye to create a softer bourbon character. Production has since May 2002 been handled through a partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery, while the family previously also had access to aging and bottling facilities following the acquisition of Old Hoffman Distillery in 1977. At bottling, a small amount of Kentucky limestone well water is added to bring the whiskey close to barrel proof. The family recipe and the selection of barrels from the heart of the warehouse are central elements of the craft.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Whiskies are aged in Kentucky warehouses for varying lengths, from 10 years up to 23 years for the Family Reserve releases. Selected barrels for Family Reserve are often drawn from the "heart of the warehouse" and may be given extra years in cask. Many releases are bottled close to barrel proof, and a small amount of limestone well-water is added when the barrels are emptied prior to bottling.
Whiskies
The portfolio consists of a relatively compact but highly sought-after selection: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, Van Winkle FAMILY Reserve Rye 13 Year, and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve at 15, 20 and 23 years. The lineup centers on the wheated tradition and long aging periods, with some bottles bottled near barrel proof and others at lower proof for balance. The products represent both everyday luxury (such as the 10 Year) and long-term, collector-oriented Family Reserve releases.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year | Bourbon | 53.5 % | 10 Year | Barrel (oak) | Bottled as close to barrel proof as possible; at bottling a touch of Kentucky limestone well-water is added for rounding. Nose: Enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Palate: Fruity, medium- to full-bodied with intense notes of dried fruit and roasted nuts. Finish: Very long, pronounced wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavor notes. | Current; Core range |
| Van Winkle Special Reserve | Bourbon | 45.2 % | 12 Year | Barrel (oak) | A sweet, full-bodied bourbon with 12 years of aging and a medium proof regarded as exceptionally pleasant. Nose: Luscious, complex toffee-like aroma. Palate: Round, smooth entry leading to a dry expansive, medium body with notes of caramel, nuts and brown spices. Finish: Long, enveloping finish. | Current; Core range |
| Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 15 Year | Bourbon | 53.5 % | 15 Year | Barrel (oak) | Produced according to the family's wheated recipe and selected from heart-of-the-warehouse barrels; bottled at high proof. Nose: Rich, supple aroma with caramel and toffee. Palate: Decadent, large and full-bodied with intense caramel, toffee, and peppery brown spices. Finish: Extremely long and complex fading of spice and wood. | Current; Core range |
| Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year | Bourbon | 45.2 % | 20 Year | Barrel (oak) | A 20-year-old Family Reserve, described as a signature release for its long aging and character; historically noted for receiving an unusually high rating in 1996. Nose: Multi-faceted aroma profile with notes spanning minerals and smoky facets. Palate: Full-bodied with hints of oiled leather, smoke, minerals, coffee and cigar boxes. Finish: Very long, evolving finish of spice and wood. | Current; Core range |
| Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year | Bourbon | 47.8 % | 23 Year | Barrel (oak) | Specially selected barrels from the heart of the warehouse, with an extra three years of aging beyond the Family Reserve selection; recommended enjoyed neat. Nose: Aromas of caramel, ripe apples and cherries. Palate: Notes of caramel, wood, tobacco and a touch of chocolate. Finish: Sweet caramel-driven finish with persistent wood character. | Current; Core range |
| Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year | Rye | 47.8 % | 13 Year | Barrel (oak) | An unusually old rye (13 years), highlighted for its maturity compared with younger rye releases. Nose: Powerful caramel-, spice- and sweet-tobacco aromas. Palate: Smooth entry to a medium- to full-bodied body with toffee, roasted nuts and leather notes. Finish: Wave of white pepper, spice and long-lasting dried fruit. | Current; Core range |
Style and Flavor Profile of the Whiskies
Across the portfolio, three clear directions run: sweetness in the form of caramel and toffee, spicy notes with pepper and brown spices, and fruity facets with dried fruit and ripe fruits such as apple and cherry. The oldest Family Reserve bottles also show a notable wood character and notes such as leather and tobacco, while some descriptions also mention light smoke and mineral nuances.
Visiting the Distillery
If you would like an in-person tour, this takes place through Buffalo Trace's campus in Frankfort, Kentucky, where Van Winkle releases relate to the production. Buffalo Trace offers campus tours, but you won't find special Van Winkle releases on campus; availability and releases are primarily handled via local retailers and raffles. For questions and contact, email addresses and phone numbers are provided for customer service and PR on the Van Winkle page.
Philosophy and Craftsmanship
Van Winkle's philosophy centers on consistent quality, family recipes, and patience. They prioritize Pappy's wheated mashbill, careful selection of barrels, and long aging over mass production. Quotes on the site emphasize a willingness to sacrifice profit to preserve quality and an insistence on craftsmanship over industrial manufacturing.
Prices and Recognitions
- Highest rating ever awarded a whiskey (1996, Highest rating, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 year)