Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" 12 Year

Exhibits a dark copper hue with sparse, slow-moving legs. The nose is complex and presents many aromas simultaneously. Dominant notes include dark caramel, vanilla, and aged oak, with underlying hints of mint, cigar boxes, baking spices, red apple, and a touch of flaked grain and earthy notes. The barrel influence is consistent and well-integrated, present but not overwhelming. The palate is gentle and coating, with a developing warmth after swallowing. Initial flavors of creme brulee, soft dark caramel/burnt sugar, and buttercream frosting transition to dark chocolate-covered cherries and dry oak. The finish is a rich, creamy, long, and complex highlight, evoking freshly cut wood from antique furniture. The cigar box notes reappear, along with the frosting. This is arguably the most balanced bourbon I have ever encountered. While I've experienced more complex or barrel-forward bourbons, this one is unparalleled in its equilibrium.

A close friend is dealing with a difficult divorce, so I went out with his brother to help him cope with some good drinks. I noticed this bottle on a sale shelf and thought, 'why not?!' Neither of us had tried anything from Pappy's before, and you only live once. I was quite excited. The smell offered some very pleasant notes of baked apples, cinnamon, and vanilla. The taste was similar, with the addition of caramel, oak, and a subtle touch of leather. What caught me off guard was the heat. I wasn't expecting the burn it delivered, given the reputation and praise associated with anything from Pappy. It lingered longer than expected but didn't spoil the overall enjoyment. I would certainly purchase a bottle if the price was right, but I'd avoid anything on the secondary market. It's not worth the money, in my opinion.

Nose: Strong oak, dark chocolate, wood char, with a faint hint of dark cherry and red apple. Taste: Dark chocolate and prominent oak, complemented by honey-drizzled peaches, raisins, and Fuji apples. A subtle floral note is present. The finish is strongly characterized by burnt caramel, cherry, and red apple. Texture: Very oily. Tastes similar to Eagle Rare but with more age or more heavily toasted barrels. Adding water diminishes the nose and taste, bringing out sweet caramel and fruit.

Just sampled another ounce. Absolutely delicious, but as someone who drinks scotch, I'm convinced I'm tasting a sherry or wine finished Speyside. It possesses those exact fruit notes and flavors for me. The bourbon I've ever had that most resembles scotch. If you're a bourbon enthusiast who loves this, I highly recommend trying some unpeated sherry or port finished Highland scotches. They are more similar than you might imagine.

Festival Review: Smell: Cherry, vanilla, and the typical grape notes associated with certain distillery products Taste: Oak, barrel char, some spice Aftertaste: Short For me, the highlight is the aroma; it's a fine drink, but on this occasion, I desired more of the aromatic profile on the palate.

Finally opening this bottle to mark a significant achievement! Enjoyed neat. The aroma presents apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple. The palate is remarkably smooth and herbal, with notes of vanilla, pecan, cinnamon, pitted fruits, and a hint of charred oak, concluding with a finish of pride and success to complement this lovely pour.