Description
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old represents the oldest expression in the Van Winkle bourbon lineup. This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey is crafted at Buffalo Trace Distillery using a wheated mash bill, which incorporates wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye, alongside corn and barley.
The bourbon is aged for 23 years in deeply charred oak barrels selected from the heart of the warehouse. This extended maturation period develops a deep amber to amber red color, described as one of the darkest among Kentucky bourbons. The whiskey is bottled at 47.8% ABV or 95.6 proof in 750 mL bottles.
On the nose, this twenty-three year old bourbon presents aromas of caramel, cream, oak, and nuts, with additional notes of leather, vanilla, dried fruits, tobacco, and smoky wood. Orange rind, maple syrup, molasses, crème brûlée, and cappuccino add further complexity to the aromatic profile.
The palate offers flavors of vanilla, maple, honey, citrus, and spice, balanced by caramel, toffee, and butterscotch. Ripe apples, cherries, oak, chocolate, and cinnamon contribute to the layered taste experience. The finish is long-lasting, characterized by oaky notes and sweet caramel with lingering wood flavors.
This wheated bourbon has received recognition from third-party reviewers, including 100 points from Robert Parker, 5 stars from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal, and 95 points from both Whisky Advocate and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old is typically enjoyed neat to appreciate the full complexity developed through extended aging.
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