Van Winkle 12 Year Old Special Reserve is a wheated bourbon produced in Kentucky by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. It is made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% wheat and 14% barley, aged 12 years in virgin American white oak barrels, and bottled at 45.2% ABV. Released annually in 750 ml format, it hosts a suggested retail price of $70 but often sells for more than $600 due to limited availability.
This was…odd, especially after tasting the lushly fruity 10 Year just a few minutes before. Two more years seems to have added a lot more oak to the spirit, and also amplified its acidity, but the fundamental earthiness in the finish adds just the right balance. Not my favorite, but interesting to taste anyway.
This is good but certainly not the best bourbon out there! I'd put this about on par with Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year and today's Weller 12. 2019 Weller 12 had some significantly better volume of flavor that I think this lacks a bit. It's simple, but certainly delicious and for that it earns my 4/5 score! If you can't find this, go buy a Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength and thank me later.
Overall, the Old Rip Van Winkle 12 Year (Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year if you want to annoy some people) is a very good, but not great bourbon. On taste alone, it’s nearly excellent, but lacks a “wow” factor because of its muted and subdued flavors.
