Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon Review: 2025 is the Year For Sharing
- Nick Anderson
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
“Life, if well lived, is long enough.”
– Seneca
In the era of glamour shots of unopened bottles, few dare to tell the tale of what's inside. When I saw this bottle on the shelf for a decent enough price, I knew it was going to be my Christmas dram to share with my dad, who appreciates a pour of whiskey from me every once in a while. Not only did we get to enjoy it over a remarkable game of cribbage, but I also got to share it with my cousin the next day and even sipped it with my mom the day after that! Put those three tastings together, and you've got a well-formed opinion on a whiskey worth writing about. If nothing else, let this be a reminder for you to open those bottles: my experience in sharing those pours goes far beyond the words on this page. In the end, I am still a whiskey writer, so I triangulated those experiences and sat down for one final taste of the 2025 release of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year wheated bourbon.
Company on Label: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (Buffalo Trace), Frankfort, Kentucky
Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed wheated bourbon mash bill
Proof: 107°
Age: 10 years
MSRP: $150
Buy online: Frootbat
Further identification: The 2025 release of Old Rip Van Winkle is part of the annual allocated whiskey release that Buffalo Trace does in the fall of each year
Nose: Cherry, fluffy cotton candy, juicy orange, and sour sweet tarts lead the way on this immediately enjoyable pour. Entenmann's raspberry cheese Danish aromas build with a little time and patience. After a sip, fun dip chalkiness comes in like those old-school sugar straws. Poking around further, I find the glaze on a bundt cake as well as a vintage antique shop filled with old vinyl. After a long rest, linen, lemon poppy seed, and black tea build well. Late in the glass is consistent with tingly black pepper and oodles of lemon tones. Ginger, allspice, leather, pear, and light cream tones offer nuance as the remainder of the pour is slowly savored. The empty glass smells of light linen and anise.
Palate: My first sip is easy as can be, with oodles of cherry and mixed berries jumping out of the glass. Each taste leaves a solid mouth coating with syrupy sherry sweetness hanging around in every crevice it can find. Ginger snap cookies show up poppy on subsequent sips. A long, savoring swish is filled with cherry cordial and maple sugar. This glass is a little skiddy at times, slumping flat in lulled moments, and occasionally jumping around in vibes. A black pepper dissonance is the only moment of curiosity to note. The glass performs strongest when sipped through at a quicker pace, offering a classic caramel chew and cinnamon-dusted apple cider doughnut on a medium finish.
TL;DR: Consistently good whiskey that pours best when shared with family
Rating: 4/5
While Lot B might be my favorite mixer, the Old Rip Van Winkle release continues to be a consistent hit for my palate, landing somewhere just a touch north of the quality of the standard Weller Antique bottling. While not quite as deep as Pappy 15 year, it is noticeably less sleepy. If vibrant, exciting whiskey is more your jam, Old Rip might be a more consistent bottle for you, available at a lower price. I personally like my whiskey a little more exciting, but I also understand that quality ratings shouldn't follow personal taste preferences. If my writing suits your fancy, consider subscribing to my once-monthly newsletter. Cheers!
