Old Rip Van Winkle Aged 10 Years

Producer: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: 10 years

Bottled: 2020

Proof: 107

Finish: None

This is the 10 year version of Van Winkle bourbon. It was originally released before there was anything called "Pappy". This is the one that started it all. It received a boost to 107 proof in 1983, from its original 90 proof. This was the proof which many distilleries historically used as their entry proof, when the whiskey was first placed into the barrel. It's still a common proof used by many bourbons in the marketplace today. It's the same proof as Pappy 15. 107 proof has almost become the standard proof, from which all bourbons are judged. In my opinion, anything higher than 107 proof is considered a high proof bourbon. Today, the 10 year remains the entry level Van Winkle bourbon, but it's certainly not ordinary. This bottle was distilled, aged and bottled at Buffalo Trace, which took over Van Winkle production in 2002. The youngest version of this venerable bourbon brand is less expensive and more readily available, but Van Winkle 10 will still cost you over $1,000 on the secondary market.

Color: Ruddy copper

Body: Medium

Nose: Oak, corn muffin with honey butter, orange notes

Palate: Butterscotch, tiny bit of mint, Pillsbury orange cinnamon rolls, nutmeg, bread pudding with vanilla sauce, water opens up that orange and cinnamon

Finish: Medium to long, oak lingers with vanilla and spice, less sweet and less fruity

Score: Ace

Song: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Van Halen

Every awesome collection has to have a debut entry. It sets the tone and style for the collection. Quite often, it's surpassed by grander things, but it's always remembered fondly as the original. The Model T isn't the best car in the world, but it set the standard as the first mass produced car in the world. Likewise, Van Winkle 10 is the original Van Winkle bourbon. The brand is regarded around the world as the pinnacle of American whiskey. It's debut entry has a nice balance of standard bourbon notes and some interesting additions as well. The nose is more oaky and less sweet with corn muffin and honey butter notes. The palate brings more sweetness with butterscotch, more spiciness with cinnamon and nutmeg, and more fruit with a tantalizing orange flavor. Bread pudding and sweet rolls highlight the wheated mash bill. It finishes with oak, vanilla and spice, highlighting the higher proof. The Van Winkle line is the pinnacle of whiskey, like Hollywood metal is the pinnacle of music. Because Van Winkle 10 started the line, I recommend pairing it with Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love by Van Halen, which started Hollywood metal. Van Winkle 10 is allocated, so sign up for the lottery.