Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year is a wheated bourbon bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV), offering a bold yet smooth profile. Aged for a decade, it delivers rich caramel and vanilla on the nose, with hints of oak and dried fruit. The palate is full-bodied, featuring sweet toffee, baking spices, and toasted nuts, balanced by a touch of leather and dark cherry. The finish is long and warm, with lingering spice and a velvety mouthfeel. This expression showcases the Van Winkle family’s signature wheated mashbill, providing depth and complexity while maintaining a smooth, approachable character.

The Old Rip Van Winkle brand traces its roots back to Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle, a legendary figure in bourbon history. Pappy began his career in the late 1800s as a traveling salesman for W.L. Weller & Sons before eventually co-owning the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which opened in 1935. The distillery became famous for its use of wheated bourbon mashbills, creating a softer, sweeter profile compared to rye-based bourbons.

After Stitzel-Weller was sold in 1972, the Van Winkle family continued producing bourbon under the Old Rip Van Winkle name, with Julian Van Winkle III reviving the brand in the 1980s. Today, the Van Winkle lineup, including the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, is distilled and aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, using the original wheated bourbon recipe. Due to its rich history, exceptional quality, and limited supply, Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon has become one of the most sought-after whiskeys in the world.