Old Rip Van Winkle Aged 25 Years

Producer: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Shively, KY

Age: 25 years

Bottled: 2016

Proof: 100

Finish: None

This is the ultimate prize in the Bourbon Roxx collection. It is the most expensive bottle of new bourbon in the world, currently costing $60,000 on the secondary internet market. It was only released one time, and it contains the last of the Van Winkle distillate from the Stitzel-Weller distillery in Shively, KY. The whiskey was distilled in 1989. The Stitzel-Weller distillery closed in 1992, and eventually, all Van Winkle production was moved to the Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, KY. The bourbon was removed from the oak barrels in 2014, after aging for 25 years. It was then placed in stainless steel barrels to prevent further aging. The bourbon was bottled in 2016. Only 710 bottles were released from a total of 11 barrels. While Old Rip Van Winkle could conceivably release another bottle of 25 year old bourbon in the future, it will all be distilled at Buffalo Trace, not Stitzel-Weller. Therefore, this is a collector's item. I was fortunate enough to acquire the rights to purchase this item from a friend who won the lottery in my home state.

Color: Deep auburn

Body: Full, legs cling to the glass

Nose: Cherry pie, toast with blackberry jam, cherry vanilla sundae with caramel topping

Palate: Pepper, cinnamon, tobacco, surprisingly spicy for a wheated bourbon, drinks a little hotter than its proof, floral notes like rose petals, slightly sweet, cherry vanilla, caramel, oak powers through, high tannins, peppermint candy, water brings more cherry and some almond

Finish: Long, caramel, oak

Score: Ace

Song: Have A Drink On Me - AC/DC

I've had this bottle for over seven years, and I've only finished half of it. It's reserved for very special occasions, like birthdays, holidays and celebrations. The last three pours were used for this tasting and the Pappy flight which followed. It's only fitting that I used this bourbon to launch Bourbon Roxx. I wanted to wow readers with the best of the best. There is no question that this bourbon is one of the best I've ever had, but is it the absolute best? You'll have to watch the Pappy flight video. This is a very complex bourbon, which shows its age and its heritage. The oak is strong, and the depth of the vanilla and caramel are obvious. The age brings some subtle tobacco notes. The prominent cherry notes are unmistakably Pappy. The sweetness is well balanced with a peppery, slightly cinnamon spice. This bourbon drinks a little bit hotter than its proof, which is nice. The softness of the wheat brings a uniquely floral, rose petal note. A drop of water releases even more cherry and some almond notes. Since this is the most exclusive bourbon in the world, pair it with the greatest drinking song of all time, from the greatest band of all time, Have A Drink On Me by AC/DC. Crank it up loud and enjoy the greatest drinking experience you may ever have. You will never go wrong with this bourbon. Unfortunately, you will never find it at a reasonable price, anywhere. A few bottles are still lurking out there on the secondary internet market. You may find a high end bourbon bar that still has a few pours left in the bottle. Just remember, the rarer this exclusive bourbon gets, the more the price will rise.