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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old

Old Rip High Test

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@VictorReview by @Victor

28th Jan 2011

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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    88

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Van Winkle makes wheat formula bourbons. Van Winkle's youngest bourbons are 10 yr olds at 107 and 90 proof. This review is of the 107 proof version.

Nose: pleasant wheat grain, slightly sweet, a little oak

Taste: Nice robust flavour of wheat and oak with a pleasant alcohol nibble. There is some caramel after 15 seconds. This is no shrinking violet of a whiskey.

Finish: rather long, with gradual diminution of flavours with caramel at the end.

Balance: this whiskey was a big positive surprise, since I had heard or read little about it before I bought it. This is a lot of fun if you like big flavour. This 107 proof version is MUCH more highly recommended than the 90 proof version, which is good, but not the kick that this is. I would also say that the flavours in the Old Rip Van Winkle 107 proof are more intense than those in the 12 yo Van Winkle Family Reserve bourbon

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4 comments

@SlowPuffs
SlowPuffs commented

Over this past weekend, I have been able to get a few bottled of Van Winkle here on Edmonton at specialty stores (likely twice the price as in the USA). I got a few bottles of the 107 proof. I already snagged the 90 proof a few weeks ago, at an unusual place, complete with dust. I was quite delighted with the 90 proof at this stage in my bourbon journey. It is smooth and balanced and up there with Jefferson Reserve IMHO.

Yesterday, I did a side my side, a bit apprehensive of the higher proof. I was surprised at how well balanced the 107 is, for me. I’m endeared to both expressions. I do think that the 107 accents the flavours a bit more. That is always a good thing. But I was happy that it wasn’t, in my experience, overwhelming as far as the burn goes.

In my reading, I came across someone’s opinion that the 90 proof of this particular bourbon is where a Scotch drinker should start in exploring bourbons. Not a bad suggestion at all. But the 107 proof is also a nice place to be.

Honesty, for me, either one is a dandy place to be… balanced and smooth.

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@SlowPuffs, I am delighted that you are enjoying both the Old Rip Van Winkle 90 and 107 proof bourbon expressions. In the US all Van Winkle products are sparingly allocated whiskeys. Except in the rare exceptional case, any bottle of ANY Van Winkle whiskey would not remain for a week on any liquor store shelf in the US. If you like it and can get it, put a few away...you really can't be sure of being able to obtain future supply.

12 years ago 0

@SlowPuffs
SlowPuffs commented

Victor, these specialty stores are receiving a case(3 bottles) each. They just arrived a few days ago at probably not more than a half dozen stores. I snagged a couple of the 12 Lot B as well. One owner had one of the 23 y.o. and it was snatched up at over $200 immediatey. Another had one 13 y.0 that was gone immediately. No sign of the 15 y.o. yet. But I am happy with what I have been able to get.

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

I expect that you will also greatly enjoy the 'Lot B'. If I had to guess based upon your taste, I would guess that you will like it perhaps the best of the three you have. The 13 yo is the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. The Pappy Van Winkle 15 yo is the greatest prize, and in the most demand. This Pappy Van Winkle 15 being released now is a different whiskey from that up until Fall 2011, but that hasn't kept it from being extremely hard to obtain.

The 20 yo is actually lighter than the 15, and starts to get a bit pricey. Lovely, though. The 23 yo really isn't worth the price, in my book, though I love to drink it when I get the chance.

12 years ago 0