The name Van Winkle is revered by Bourbon connoisseurs the world over. While most, if not all Bourbon lovers have heard of it, possibly less than the minority have actually tasted it. For the past few years anything with Van Winkle on the label has been very hard to find. That is true even for us here at Talking Bourbon, who have been known to stop by every liquor store we pass and even make road trips in search of hard to find booze in less traveled and sleepy towns.
Van Winkle Special Reserve is the 12 year expression of the Van Winkle line which includes 10 year Rip Van Winkle, and the World Famous 15, 20, and 23 year Pappy Van Winkle. It comes in a tall unremarkable corked bottle, is 90.4 proof and sells for around $90, if you can find it. As stated above this is a very hard Bourbon to find.
One note, we have always been under the impression that the Weller line and the Pappy line shared the same mash bill. If true there is an over lap here with Weller’s 12 year. Are they the same thing? We tasted both together and there was a difference, what caused it? Maybe a different barrel char, maybe a different location in the rick house, or maybe our info is wrong. We will keep searching.
NOSE
Ron: Really nice nose with quite a few aromas. Oak, caramel, vanilla, cherries and molasses come to mind immediately. Behind those are slight scents of leather, almonds and clove.
Todd: Wood, honey and cherries dominate with secondary aromas of tobacco, grain, caramel, and leather. Also got a very slight musty smell along with an even slighter scent of barley.
TASTE
Ron: Very complimentary from nose to taste. Much more complex than I remembered from the last time I had it when it was much easier to acquire. Oak, vanilla, caramel, leather and almonds led the way with tastes of cherries, cinnamon and grain right behind. One side note, the taste mellowed some with a melted cube, maybe too much. Recommend neat or just a small splash of water or small cube.
Todd: Not bad neat, a little hot for my liking, much better with a cube partially melted. I got a nutty, oaky taste at first, this was followed by very nice tastes of honey, caramel, grain and I picked up the cinnamon that Ron tasted. Very good.
FINISH
Ron: Very long and pleasant with an essence of honey.
Todd: Long sweet and musty.
OVERALL
Ron: Quite enjoyable! If you can get a bottle at a relatively fair price, it is worth it. A very nice addition to your cabinet.
Todd: Definitely agree, good stuff. Also agree that it was better than I remembered.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 9.25 out of 10
Finish 4.25 out of 5
Total score 18 out of 20 Barrels
If you can find it, which is a big if, and you can afford it, we say you should buy a bottle. This is very good juice, complex and a joy to drink. We hate to say this but there is a small pride factor involved by possessing a bottle. It is nice to offer a real Bourbon fan a glass of Van Winkle Special Reserve.