Best Pappy Van Winkle

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 02:01 am

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

With the assistance of Bourbon expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have reviewed and ranked every Pappy Van Winkle release and determined which is the best.

Pappy-Van-Winkles-20-Year-Family-Reserve

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Pappy Van Winkle

For Those Who Want a Complex Aroma and Smooth Experience:

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year: This wheated bourbon offers a complex nose with notes of vanilla, fruit, honey, and oak. The taste is smooth and creamy with caramel, cherry, and baking spice. It’s a great entry point to the Pappy Van Winkle line.

For Fans of Smooth, Wheated Bourbon with a Distinctive Spice Character:

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year: This wheated bourbon is known for its exceptional smoothness and distinctive cinnamon character. It also has notes of cherry, vanilla, and chocolate, making it a complex and enjoyable sipper.

For Rye Whiskey Enthusiasts Who Appreciate Balance:

Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year: This is the only rye in the Pappy Van Winkle line. It offers a well-balanced rye spice character with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, baking spice, caramel, and mint. It’s a contender for one of the finest rye whiskeys available.

For Those Who Enjoy a Dessert-Like Bourbon Experience:

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year: This wheated bourbon is known for its rich and decadent flavors. It has notes of cherry, honey, baking spice, vanilla, brown sugar, chocolate, and oak. It’s a truly special bourbon experience.

For Bourbon Connoisseurs Who Appreciate Subtle Oak Nuance:

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year: This bourbon builds on the 15-year with a more pronounced oak character. It offers a delicate balance of sweet notes (vanilla, fruit), baking spices, and a rich oakiness. While some might prefer a bolder taste, it showcases the complexity achieved through extended aging.

A Note on Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year:

While delicious, the oak influence is quite prominent in Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. Some might prefer a higher proof bourbon to elevate the experience, especially considering the price point.

General Caveats:

Pappy Van Winkle bourbons are highly sought-after and can be difficult to find at retail price. Be prepared for inflated prices or limited availability.
Consider adding a drop of water to any of these bourbons to unlock more flavor dimensions and reduce heat (especially for higher proof options).

I hope this helps you find the perfect Pappy Van Winkle for your taste!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Buying Guide

Whiskey	Price	Rating
Old Rip Van Winkle 10	$770	85
Special Reserve 12	$1,000	88
Family Reserve Rye 13	$1,900	90
15-Year Family Reserve	$1,700	93
20-Year Family Reserve	$2,500	92
23-Year Family Reserve	$3,000	91

Prices are approximate and stated in USD

Old Rip Van Winkle 10: Complex Nose, Smooth Sip

Nose: Vanilla, ripe fruit, honey, bread, oak
Palate: Caramel, cherry, baking spice, red fruit
Finish: Long, caramel, oak
Alcohol content: 107 proof (53.5% ABV)
How to drink: Add water

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 offers a complex aroma of vanilla, ripe fruit, honey, and oak. The taste is a creamy delight with caramel, cherries, and baking spice, culminating in a long, warming finish. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water to unlock even more flavor.

Although the entry point to the Van Winkle line, it offers a smooth and highly regarded bourbon experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Wheated Wonder: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12

Nose: Oak, caramel, cinnamon
Palate: Cherry, cinnamon. vanilla, chocolate
Finish: Vanilla, cinnamon, caramel
Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 steps up the smoothness factor from the 10-year-old. The nose is a classic bourbon mix of oak, caramel, and cinnamon. The taste is luxuriously soft, featuring rich cinnamon and subtle oak that allows cherry notes to shine. The long finish brings delightful vanilla and toffee, adding another layer of complexity.

This wheated bourbon is renowned for its remarkable smoothness, distinctive cinnamon character, and a pleasant, almost bready quality.

Spicy Yet Balanced: Van Winkle Rye Shines

Nose: Caramel, rye spice, cinnamon, oak
Palate: Cinnamon, vanilla, baking spice, caramel, mint
Finish: Caramel, rye spice, toasted oak, ginger
Alcohol content: 96 proof (48% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Standing out as the only rye in the Van Winkle line, the Family Reserve 13 offers a unique profile. The nose is inviting with sweet rye spice, cinnamon, and oak. The taste is a satisfying blend of moderate rye spice and warmth, featuring flavors of pecan pie and dark chocolate. A ginger note emerges in the finish.

This rye whiskey stands out for its well-balanced rye character that allows other flavors to complement it, making it a contender for one of the finest rye whiskeys available.

Dessert in a Glass: Pappy Van Winkle 15

Nose: Cherry, honey, baking spice
Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, red fruit, chocolate
Finish: Toasty oak, cinnamon, brioche bread
Alcohol content: 107 proof (53.5% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Pappy Van Winkle 15 lives up to the hype. The nose brings cherry, honey, and spice. The taste explodes with deep, rich flavors of vanilla, brown sugar, and chocolate. The finish lingers with toasty oak, cinnamon, and a touch of brioche bread.

It delivers a delightful dessert-like experience with a pleasant oaky conclusion and a touch of warming heat. This bourbon embodies why Pappy Van Winkle releases are so coveted.

Crown Jewel: Pappy Van Winkle 20

Nose: Caramel, oak, banana, vanilla, chocolate
Palate: Honey, oak, apple pie, dark fruit, vanilla
Finish: Long, baking spice, oak, apple pie
Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Pappy Van Winkle 20 builds on the 15 YO’s success with a more pronounced oak character.

The nose remains sweet with notes of cherry, honey, and spice, but a stronger oak presence emerges due to the extended aging. The taste is a well-balanced masterpiece, reminiscent of baked apple pie and vanilla, but with a more prominent oak influence. The finish is long, smooth, and subtly oaky.

This bourbon is all about nuance – a delicate dance of sweet dessert notes, baking spices, and a rich, enduring oakiness. While it might lack the warmth and body some prefer, it lives up to Pappy Van Winkle’s esteemed reputation as a truly special bourbon.

Pappy 23: A Toast to Friendship, Not the Price

Nose: Oak, vanilla, caramel
Palate: Oak, cherry, vanilla, baking spice
Finish: Oak, ripe fruit, old leather
Alcohol content: 97 proof (43.5% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Pappy Van Winkle 23 is an oaky experience, a gracious gift best enjoyed with your beloved ones.

The nose starts strong with oak, then reveals vanilla and caramel. The taste is dominated by oak, alongside cherry, vanilla, and cinnamon. Despite a medium body, it offers a slightly dry mouthfeel without any burn. The long finish brings together oak, fruitiness, and a touch of leather.

While undeniably delicious and cake-like, the oak influence is prominent, and a higher proof might elevate the experience.

A special thanks to friends for this chance to try a rare gem.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon

The Selection Process for the Top Bottle

Expert Reviews: Insights from renowned Bourbon critics were crucial.
Taste Testing: Evaluations based on personal experiences with Pappy Van Winkle expressions.
Consumer Feedback: Collecting opinions from bourbon enthusiasts and aficionados.

A Bourbon of Exceptional Quality

Renowned Quality: Highly esteemed for its complexity and depth.
Family Range: Offers a variety of expressions, each distinctive in flavor and craftsmanship.

Personal Experience and Opinion on Pappy Van Winkle

Initial Skepticism: Overcame initial doubts about the hype.
Quality Confirmation: Confirmed exceptional quality through thorough tasting.
Overall Impression: Stands as one of the finest bourbons experienced.