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Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old 107 proof is one of the most intense wheated whiskeys I have ever had, it's a powerhouse. Pound for pound the strongest in Van Winkle's lineup, but without the complexity, subtlety and poise of it's older siblings. More raw strength than Wild Turkey's Rare Breed, but without Rare Breed's complexity. This bourbon runs around $34.
Nose: Hard caramel candy, toffee, spicy oak, caramelized nuts, dried molasses and dried summer fruits.
Palate: Brown Sugar, herbs, dried spiced oranges, then nutmeg and allspice then rushes into large notes of dry oak and woody, earthy flavors. Coating mouthfeel and full bodied. The oak notes arrived too abruptly and throws off the balance.
Finish: Oak, very dry, hot and lingering with wafting waves of spice. After the harsh dryness fades, the finish is quite pleasant.
This bourbon works slightly better with a drop of two of water and can even be consumed on the rocks nicely. A valiant effort from Van Winkle, but the 10 year is too rough around the edges and with the too swift flavor shifts the whiskey turns harsh and lacks enough sweetness to balance all that oak. Van Winkle is an outstanding line, it is well worth it to pay a few dollars more to bump up to another product.
Overall Score: 80
Here's a link to the discussion thread.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old 107 proof is one of the most intense wheated whiskeys I have ever had, it's a powerhouse. Pound for pound the strongest in Van Winkle's lineup, but without the complexity, subtlety and poise of it's older siblings. More raw strength than Wild Turkey's Rare Breed, but without Rare Breed's complexity. This bourbon runs around $34.
Nose: Hard caramel candy, toffee, spicy oak, caramelized nuts, dried molasses and dried summer fruits.
Palate: Brown Sugar, herbs, dried spiced oranges, then nutmeg and allspice then rushes into large notes of dry oak and woody, earthy flavors. Coating mouthfeel and full bodied. The oak notes arrived too abruptly and throws off the balance.
Finish: Oak, very dry, hot and lingering with wafting waves of spice. After the harsh dryness fades, the finish is quite pleasant.
This bourbon works slightly better with a drop of two of water and can even be consumed on the rocks nicely. A valiant effort from Van Winkle, but the 10 year is too rough around the edges and with the too swift flavor shifts the whiskey turns harsh and lacks enough sweetness to balance all that oak. Van Winkle is an outstanding line, it is well worth it to pay a few dollars more to bump up to another product.
Overall Score: 80
Here's a link to the discussion thread.
