On Wednesday, Buffalo Trace and the Van Winkle Family Distillery announced the beloved 2025 Van Winkle Collection, which features a lineup of Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year Old, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year Old and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old.
“Those who follow this release year after year know it’s not just about whiskey, but about what it represents,” President of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery Julian P. Van Winkle III said in a statement. “This whiskey collection is a reflection of our family’s legacy and a tribute to the generations who came before us. The legacy, combined with anticipation, the stories shared over a pour, the appreciation for extended aging — that is what makes each release so special.”
The Buffalo Trace-owned brand also shared that this year, it will be putting up Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, which the brand refers to as the “oldest” and “rarest” expression up for auction. The winner will get the coveted bottle and receive a tasting with the legendary Julian Van Winkle.
The brand shares that the bottle was filled in 2017 and stowed away at Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is just one of 710 bottles, and the auction will start at 10 A.M. ET on September 10, 2025. The auction will run through September 24, 2025, and will close at 10 A.M. ET. Those interested in learning more about the auction can visit the website here.
Buffalo Trace shared that the collection will roll out throughout the United States at a variety of bars, restaurants and shops.
“As always, each release represents years of quiet work, careful aging and a deep respect for the legacy we carry forward,” said 4th Generation Van Winkle, Preston Van Winkle. “We’ve taken great care to ensure the quality of this year’s release lives up to the Van Winkle name. We’re proud to share this whiskey with those who appreciate the craft, patience and tradition that go into every bottle.”
The 2025 Van Winkle Collection in Depth
Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old
The brand shares that this particular batch possesses the perfect mix of sweet and sophisticated. With a nose that offers up tobacco and vanilla, coupled with a palate full of wheat, cherries, spice and a smoky finish, this bourbon has no shortage of balance. Old Rip Van Winkle hosts a suggested price of $149.99.
Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old
This whiskey is a bolder take on the typically fruity and delicately spicy Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old. The pour features a bouquet of tropical fruit like mangos, interlaced with cocoa. On the pour picture tobacco, black fruits and a finish with oak and spices. The whiskey possesses a suggested price of $169.99.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old
There’s a wintery theme to Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old, and the whiskey possesses an aroma of chestnuts roasting on an open fire — sorry, we had to — coupled with a palate that features white pepper, bright cherries and orchard fruit like peach. The finish is full of caramel and oak. The whiskey costs $229.99.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon is a portrait of sweetness mixed with depth. The whiskey draws the drinker in with caramel corn, vanilla a slight kiss of cherry. On the palate, picture leather, dark fruit and brown sugar, coupled with bright cherries. The finish possesses plenty of spice, tannins and a mixture of warm fruit and sugar. This whiskey is priced at $239.99.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old
The 20 year old expression features a high-toned nose of citrus zest, with base notes of plum and cherry. The pour features creamy citrus and vanilla, interlaced with orchard fruits and sherry, giving this whiskey plenty of balance. A long and elegant fruit-kissed finish offers up dark fruit and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This whiskey possesses a suggested price of $359.99.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old
This whiskey proves that patience offers up its own rewards, with a bold nose full of caramel cream and ripe cherries. On the palate, picture maple bar, honey and a rich pop of cherries. The finish is a mixture of fruit and spice, coupled with a hefty prickle of heat from the proof. Buffalo Trace shares the whiskey hosts a suggested price of $499.99, though chances are it will go for significantly higher on the secondary market.
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