This is the favorite time of the year for bourbon fans, the annual release of the Van Winkle Bourbons. Like previous years, yields from the barrels are low due to evaporation during the long aging cycle.
Van Winkle bourbons are aged years longer than most others and are also known for their wheated flavor. Although bourbon has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years, very little Van Winkle is sold overseas, so that these coveted bottles are available in the United States.
“Unfortunately we cannot control the price retailers charge, so some retailers mark it up beyond our MSRP, even though we ask them not to,” said Julian Van Winkle, president, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “We are committed to releasing a quality product and hope retailers will honor what we suggest as a fair retail price.”
Upon release of the Van Winkle bourbon this fall, Buffalo Trace warns consumers to be wary of online resellers such as Craigslist and other online marketplaces, especially private Facebook and MeWe groups. “Trading and selling bourbon online is an unlicensed and illegal sale,” says Kris Comstock, senior marketing director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Purchasing bourbon online from unlicensed parties is dangerous. The product may be counterfeit and unsafe. If you are not a licensed retailer and you are selling Van Winkle products, we are prepared to take action to curtail the activity.”
The year’s Van Winkle collection consists of several whiskeys and their suggested retail prices:
- Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 proof ($69.99)
- Old Rip Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old ($79.99)
- Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old ($119.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old ($119.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old ($199.99)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old ($299.90)
The Van Winkle Whiskeys will be available starting in November, but supply is quite limited and bottles shall be hard to find in stores, bars and restaurants.
