Van Winkle bourbons are premium American whiskeys produced by the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery in Kentucky. The distillery was founded in 1893 by Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle Snr., and it has a long history of producing high-quality bourbons using traditional methods.
Pappy Van Winkle is credited with developing the "wheated bourbon" recipe, which uses wheat as the secondary grain in the mash bill instead of the more traditional rye. This gives Van Winkle bourbons a softer, smoother flavour profile compared to other bourbons.
After the death of Pappy Van Winkle, the distillery went through a series of ownership changes and production was halted for several years. In 2002, the Van Winkle family regained control of the distillery and resumed production of their bourbons. Today, the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery is operated by Julian Van Winkle III, Pappy's grandson.
Van Winkle bourbons are highly sought after and are known for their exceptional quality and flavour. The Van Winkle line includes several expressions, including Old Rip Van Winkle, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, and Van Winkle Special Reserve. These bourbons are aged for longer periods of time than most other bourbons, which contributes to their rich, complex flavours.
