Buffalo Trace warns of ‘poor’ Van Winkle yield
Buffalo Trace will soon release its annual Van Winkle Bourbon bottings, but has warned that barrels have yielded “far less” 20- and 23-year-old liquid than in previous years.
The 2015 Van Winkle Bourbon range will be significantly reduced due to poor barrel yieldKris Comstock, Bourbon marketing director at Buffalo Trace, said that this year about half the usual amount of 20 and 23-year-old Van Winkle will be available, while yields of 15-year-old have also been reduced.
In addition to the impact of the angel’s share – Bourbon which evaporates during the maturation period – the quality of some older Van Winkle barrels was seen as not up to standard.
“When Bourbon ages over 15 years, much is lost to the angel’s share,” he said. “Many of the 53 gallon oak barrels often yield less than 20 gallons.
“Unfortunately this year we experienced poor yields on the older Van Winkle whiskeys. Furthermore, we have strict quality standards here at Buffalo Trace and several of the older Van Winkle barrels did not meet those standards.
“This makes a drastic difference in volume, considering we have very few barrels as it is. The result is less 15 year-old Pappy Van Winkle than usual, and far less 20 year-old and 23 year-old. Frankly, about half as much as last year.”
The annual Van Winkle Bourbon release is extremely popular; however very little is sold oversees due to a surplus of demand. This year’s Van Winkle collection consists of six bottles of Bourbon aged 10 to 23 years, with prices ranging between US$49.99 and US$249.99.
Julian Van Winkle, president of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, warned retailers might significantly alter the RRPs.
“Although a lot of retailers charge more than our suggested pricing, we are not asking them to do so,” he said. “We have not raised prices and do not intend to do so drastically in the future. We are committed to our quality and our pricing.”
The 2015 Van Winkle collection will be available in very limited quantities starting in November. See a list of the full collection below.
- US$49.99 – Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 proof
- US$59.99 – Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old
- US$99.99 – Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye Whiskey 13 Year Old
- US$79.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old
- US$149.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old
- US$249.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old
