Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year

Interesting and nutty on the tongue with a unique character. The aroma was quite pleasing. For a thirteen-year-old rye, it's as expected, mellow and well-balanced. However, I still favor a certain four-year rye priced at $55, which I rate half a point higher. Or a Handy, rated a quarter to half a point higher depending on the year, typically retailing for $114. This particular rye was certainly a treat. A group of eight of us shared the bottle, which was an expensive indulgence, and if not purchased at retail, I doubt I would do it again. The best part was sharing it with companions, more than the rye's actual qualities. I'm growing weary of the tactics employed by the producers, selling to stores only for the bottles to be marked up tenfold, then acting as arbiters of the secondary market. This issue could be resolved by contractually limiting the price, perhaps to double the retail cost, with stores risking future allocations if they exceed this. These individuals, in their limited perspective, fail to grasp that not all bourbons are distributed evenly across all states. Furthermore, individuals like myself have possessed bottles for years, and some no longer suit our evolving flavor preferences, making the ability to trade desirable without interference. To express my displeasure, I will cease purchasing any bottles from this producer, which is not difficult for me.

This elusive bottling was quite the find. It's recognized as one of the most challenging Rye Whiskies to acquire, and the most difficult Van Winkle to get your hands on. And guess what? It's outstanding. While I don't typically favor rye whiskies, this one truly impressed me. Unquestionably the finest Van Winkle I've sampled, surpassing the 12yo Lot B, Pappy 15yo, and 20yo I've tried. Presented at 95.6 proof (47.8 abv), boasting a truly stunning mahogany hue. The aroma is exceptional. Extremely sweet, with no trace of rye. Notes of maraschino cherries, cotton candy, maple syrup, prunes, licorice, and perhaps a faint acetone undertone. This spirit note, surprisingly, enhances the experience because it's so wonderfully sweet; without it, you might not even realize it's whiskey. The taste is remarkably satisfying. I savored it for half a minute, and it was magnificent. Flavors of dark chocolate, an oily texture. Cherries dipped in chocolate, herbal hints (rosemary), pepper, licorice, maple syrup. The finish is incredible. A burst of ginger spice, yet very agreeable. It leaves your entire mouth feeling numb. Flawless. All things considered, this earns a perfect score of 100/100. An extraordinary whiskey, ranking among my top selections from 2018. Salud!

Appearance was impressive. The color was a lovely dark hue. It resembled and even gave off an aroma like honey. The scent was not as fiery as one might anticipate for a rye whiskey. Dark fruit notes were present in the aroma, alongside a touch of vanilla and oak. Taste: Absolutely astounding. Exceptionally smooth, particularly for a rye whiskey. Initial spice notes emerged, but they leaned towards baking spices, such as cinnamon. This quickly transitioned into a sweet, yet dark cherry flavor, accompanied by other dark fruits, like plums. This was completely mind-blowing. Truly, well done, that distillery, you consistently astound me.

Smell: Predominantly rye, with dark fruit notes, a subtle touch of herbal infusion, and also a floral quality. As it airs, cinnamon and oak become more prominent. Flavor: The rye is substantial and assertive right away. Subsequent sips reveal barnyard hay, a gentle citrus zest reminiscent of orange peel, and a whisper of baking spices. It's remarkably smooth, finishing with a slight creaminess. Once more, a floral element registers from the mid-palate through the finish.

A fantastic rye, it greets you with sweetness before a spicy turn on the palate's middle and finish. Flavors include pecan pie, brown sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate, cherries, apricots, oranges, maple syrup, red apples, nutmeg, walnuts, almonds, cloves, cinnamon, chili peppers, and grass.

The aroma presents a superb harmony of honey, clove, rye, oak, and vanilla with baking spices. The palate is dry and abundant with robust rye spiciness, complemented by vanilla, cinnamon, baking spices, oak, and a whisper of maple. The finish is lengthy, with diminishing rye, maple, vanilla, and oak, leaving behind a trace of cinnamon spiciness.