Oldest Van Winkle ever bottled set for release

Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery is to launch an “extra special, one-time bottling” of 25-year-old Van Winkle Bourbon, priced at US$1,800.

Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old is described as a “once in a lifetime offering”

Made up of just 11 barrels yielding 710 bottles, Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, the “especially rare” wheated Bourbon is slated to be even harder to find than the core Van Winkle offering.

The liquid was distilled in 1989 at the Van Winkle family distillery in Kentucky, and the barrels were purposefully aged on the lower levels of a warehouse until 2002, when they were relocated the Buffalo Trace Distillery. They remained in a similar location within the warehouse to preserve the Boubon’s “sweet, mellow” notes.

The barrels continued to age for a further 12 years before the Buffalo Trace team transferred them into stainless steel tanks to halt the ageing process.

The resulting liquid is presented in a handmade glass decanter by Glencarin Crystal Studio, which is engraved, individually numbered, and finished with a silver stopper. A glass top for the decanter is also included.

Each decanter is packaged in a wooden box made from the oak staves from the barrels that held the Bourbon, and comes with a ertificate of authenticity, numbered and signed by Julian Van Winkle, grandson of founder Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr.

The outside of the box bears a metal plaque stating ‘asleep 25 years in the wood’.

“We are excited to be able to offer something so unique and rare for our most devoted fans,” said Julian Van Winkle, president, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery.

“This is a once in a lifetime offering and the beautiful decanter and wooden box just take it to the next level and make it something in which I’m very proud to be associated.”

Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old is bottled at 50% abv and is packaged one bottle per case. Suggested RRP is US$1,800 for a 750 ml bottle. Shipments will begin in April.