Old Rip Van Winkle Straight Bourbon Whisky Aged 25 Years
Editor Rating
- Rated 5 stars
- Spectacular
- Kentucky, United States
- Reviewed by: Tod Stewart
- Published on: October 9, 2018
- Last modified: November 6, 2018
Review Summary:
Guests attending a Toronto tasting of amazing Sazerac bourbons (Buffalo Trace, 1792 Sweet Wheat, Blanton’s Single Barrel, E.H. Taylor Four Grain), with Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Blender Drew Mayville, got a treat all bourbon lovers would kill for: a taste of Old Rip Van Winkle - one of the world’s most coveted whiskies. Not only that, but the 25 Year Old is the oldest expression yet. Just over 700 bottles were released … worldwide. Even Mayville worried that a wheated bourbon of this age wouldn’t work out. Well, it did. In a rather spectacular fashion. Ripe, nutty caramel, marmalade/orange chocolate, old polished wood, browned butter, some candied banana, worn leather and just a hint of acetate on a nose that reminded me of a fantastic aged rum rather than a whisky. Silky smooth in the mouth, with Christmas cake, exotic spices, and a long, warm, complex finish that I could still taste a full ten minutes after the pour was gone. Pretty unforgettable stuff.