Old Rip Van Winkle
Handmade Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 10 Years
53.5% ABV
$40
Color: remarkably similar to the Four Roses I reviewed yesterday. Hazy, nectarine-tinged light brown.
Smell: Lovely, quintessential bourbon smell. Sweet vanilla, graham crackers, brown sugar. There's definitely a little heat coming into play, with a mild musty tobacco aroma in the background.
Taste: Really nice. Sweet maple syrup and pancakes upfront, and this transitions pretty seamlessly to pipe tobacco and smooth charred oak on a medium-length finish.Overall: I like this a lot; really not much to fault here. It hits all of the classic bourbon notes, and its smooth sweetness with tobacco backbone is a pretty great 1-2 punch. I can't see too many whiskey fans not loving this whiskey. Now, the question of value: this is excellent whiskey and a must-buy at anything close to the retail price of $40. Is it worth hundreds, which is where you'll likely see it marked up at liquor stores? In my opinion, no. When you have Elijah Craig 12, Four Roses Single Barrel, etc. all cheaper and - again, in my opinion - very close to if not better than ORVP 10, it's hard to make the case. There's just not enough complexity to merit that kind of price gouging. That said, if you see it reasonably priced at a bar or liquor store or have a friend who scored a bottle, it's a must-try!
What others have said:
Siz at Stogies on the Rocks rated it 9/10:
"I’m definitely a huge fan of this bourbon. It lived up to the hype, so why only the 9/10? Well it blew me away, but I’m not sure I would go back to the well on this like I would a Blanton’s or a Four Roses Single Barrel. I definitely enjoyed it, and I loved the flavors, but I’m not sure I’d go back to it time and time again. So we’ll maybe if I’m ever able to track down another bottle I can go back to it and maybe adjust my score. Either way, still a damn fine bourbon."
Josh Peters at The Whiskey Jug rated it a 93/100:
"EYE
Ruby caramel
NOSE
I love the smell of this bourbon. Thick rich caramel, vanilla and cherries exude from the bottle. Bourbon spice, oak, dark fruit leather, sweet grains and baking spices round out an aroma that walks the line of too sweet but manages to keep it’s balance.
I love the smell of this bourbon. Thick rich caramel, vanilla and cherries exude from the bottle. Bourbon spice, oak, dark fruit leather, sweet grains and baking spices round out an aroma that walks the line of too sweet but manages to keep it’s balance.
TASTE
Sometimes the nose of a whiskey can be deceiving, but that’s definitely not the case here. Caramel, vanilla and cherries again lead the charge across the palate with sweet grains corn, light oak and a touch of cinnamon bringing up the rear. The palate is a bit spicier than the nose, but delicious throughout.
Sometimes the nose of a whiskey can be deceiving, but that’s definitely not the case here. Caramel, vanilla and cherries again lead the charge across the palate with sweet grains corn, light oak and a touch of cinnamon bringing up the rear. The palate is a bit spicier than the nose, but delicious throughout.
FEEL
Rather low heat (burn) and remarkably thick. It’s smooth and warm going down with an overall effortless feel to it.
Rather low heat (burn) and remarkably thick. It’s smooth and warm going down with an overall effortless feel to it.
FINISH
A Medium finish that starts out with bourbon spice and fades to oak and caramel.
A Medium finish that starts out with bourbon spice and fades to oak and caramel.
SCORE: 93/100"
