Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old

We review the first of the five Van Winkle bourbons, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old. It's Van Winkle's youngest, and highest proof, offering.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Tasting Notes

About:

A staple in the Van Winkle range, and its youngest expression, this bourbon is aged for 10 years before bottling at 107 proof with just a splash of Kentucky limestone water.
Appearance:
Golden caramel
Nose:
Very clean and soft, like a fresh-washed comforter. Notes of red-skinned plum, Rainier cherry, and fresh grain combine for a fruity, sweet nose reminiscent of summer cobbler. s of white grape, Riesling, and Swedish fish gummy candies surface, and the
Palate:
On the palate it’s juicy and almost unctuous, with notes of sweet honey, soft tobacco, and caramel alongside a soft, quenching acidity like a ripe peach. The finish is surprisingly warm and gingery, with a long, lingering exit. The sensation is so plush – rich and full-bodied without being hot. With water, aromas of white grape, Riesling, and Swedish fish gummy candies surface, and the palate leans woodier.
Finish:
The finish is surprisingly warm and gingery, with a long, lingering exit. The sensation is so plush – rich and full-bodied without being hot. With water, aromas of white grape, Riesling, and Swedish fish gummy candies surface, and the palate leans woodier.
Comments:
I didn’t expect this whiskey to be as fun as it was – fruity, sweet, full of life. It’s not the most complex bourbon I’ve ever tasted, but it is undoubtedly an enjoyable one (and, I imagine, is the world’s best accompaniment to peach cobbler on a warm summer evening).

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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