With the hopes of a better year ahead - at least better than the last two - we drained the last 100 drams or so from this bottle and toasted to 2022. Even if '22 turns out to be as lousy as '21 & '20, at least we started the year by treating our palates to this elixir. As good as - no, better - than my previous TN (11/21/15) showing honey, caramel, toffee, burnt sugar, and (thank you Andrew Dodd) also orange. Enjoyed with one ice cube (to about 3 oz. of Pappy) that brought the abv down to about 40%, reduced the heat on the finish, and encouraged the release of some of the wonderful aromas. Now let's see if the year lives up to the toast... Happy to know that there are still two bottles left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Caramel and orange, still my favorite Van Winkle except for the 23. Nose is absolutely intoxicating.
Floral - touch, more fruit driven Sweet - big time, unabashedly corn forward bourbon. Dessert and caramel central. Candied orange. Rich - in a robust full way yes Nutty - touch of almond Spicy - some cinnamon, but I get some spice from the Proof more than possibly the bourbon itself Earthy - no Smoky - no Woody - big time, not as over the top as the 23, but it’s got great aged cedar notes. More on the old oak end. Fruit - orange. Orange. Orange. Palate - love how the proof lifts this up, nice and spicy. Finish lasts forever. An all time classic for a reason.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The star of the night/tasting. Easter was a perfect time to crack this bottle. Classic Buffalo Trace orange and caramel notes. This is wonderful, like and older version of the 10 year as it's at the same proof and similar taste profile, but it does lack the room filling caramel aromatics of the 23 year. Still wonderful in its own right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sorry I waited so long..... Caught on to Bourbon only a handful of years ago. After spending several days visiting the Holy Land (KY Bourbon Triangle), I became a big fan of wheated bourbons -- so smooth and balanced. Bought this bottle at auction. Primary element was honey, then caramel, toffee and burnt sugar (props to other TNers). The finish went on and on and on........ Found it to be just a touch hot when served neat. One ice cube in a 2 oz pour brought this incredible elixir to perfection, and my experience to unforgettable. Have heard that the add'l cost for 20 & 23 year old versions was not paid back. Makes me wonder...... Drink at will, but before the angels take their share.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Burnt sugar, honey, and sweet malt meets new and effusive French oak with fresh vanilla and ton of weight. This is elegant, powerful, dense, and with plenty of depth and character. Simply stunning...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Friday Night Double Blind Tasting $40+ (Bin 75): Orange tawny with seemingly green hues; nose has vanilla and you'd definitely say it was Bourbon, but the vanilla is evolving in the 15 which is more like vanilla cream, toffee, nutty, and a surprising similarity to an old Madeira; this exudes class but still has a youthful kick to it; a tasty treat that I wanted to savor this time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: Light and elegant. It suggests its age with a hint of varnish, and then quickly yields to richer elements. Honey, caramel, gentle spice, and soft cinnamon. The crust of creme brulee. Buttery rich vanilla (and salted butter). Residue of anise or menthol. What strikes me here is the balance of the aromas, and even more that they're all high quality components.
Palate: Toffee mixed with syrup. Some varnish follows for the oak. Buttery butterscotch with a few grains of sea salt. Sweet maple. Salted caramel. Almost a puff of smoke. The same vanilla quality in milky-buttery goodness. Not the widest profile; it just hits these points very well. With more time, some of the deeper and richer notes fade and the varnish becomes more prominent.
Finish: More on the salted caramel, maple, light spice, butter, and oak/varnish in varying levels of emphasis as it continues to evolve. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the hullaballoo about Pappy, but then, at other times, you get an older pour like this and you can see why it was such a fan favorite, current craze aside. I love salted caramel/toffee, though I'm never quite as keen these varnishy notes. Thankfully, even when it's present, it's not dominant. In all, an excellent dram. I did like it with a bit less air (and varnish), yet taking it all into account, A- (91.5)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
If you have never had this, you should. I had a glass neat after dinner and while I was sleeping I could still taste it. So smooth yet poweful. I love this stuff
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/1/2022 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 97 Points
With the hopes of a better year ahead - at least better than the last two - we drained the last 100 drams or so from this bottle and toasted to 2022. Even if '22 turns out to be as lousy as '21 & '20, at least we started the year by treating our palates to this elixir.
As good as - no, better - than my previous TN (11/21/15) showing honey, caramel, toffee, burnt sugar, and (thank you Andrew Dodd) also orange. Enjoyed with one ice cube (to about 3 oz. of Pappy) that brought the abv down to about 40%, reduced the heat on the finish, and encouraged the release of some of the wonderful aromas.
Now let's see if the year lives up to the toast...
Happy to know that there are still two bottles left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2020 - RayOB Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank at Black Book
Incredible how this tastes. No wonder people love it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2020 - VillageFH wrote:
Opened
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2020 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Caramel and orange, still my favorite Van Winkle except for the 23. Nose is absolutely intoxicating.
Floral - touch, more fruit driven
Sweet - big time, unabashedly corn forward bourbon. Dessert and caramel central. Candied orange.
Rich - in a robust full way yes
Nutty - touch of almond
Spicy - some cinnamon, but I get some spice from the Proof more than possibly the bourbon itself
Earthy - no
Smoky - no
Woody - big time, not as over the top as the 23, but it’s got great aged cedar notes. More on the old oak end.
Fruit - orange. Orange. Orange.
Palate - love how the proof lifts this up, nice and spicy. Finish lasts forever. An all time classic for a reason.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2019 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 99 Points
The star of the night/tasting. Easter was a perfect time to crack this bottle. Classic Buffalo Trace orange and caramel notes. This is wonderful, like and older version of the 10 year as it's at the same proof and similar taste profile, but it does lack the room filling caramel aromatics of the 23 year. Still wonderful in its own right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2018 - Greg laketek wrote:
Stolen from an employee
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2015 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 96 Points
Sorry I waited so long..... Caught on to Bourbon only a handful of years ago. After spending several days visiting the Holy Land (KY Bourbon Triangle), I became a big fan of wheated bourbons -- so smooth and balanced. Bought this bottle at auction.
Primary element was honey, then caramel, toffee and burnt sugar (props to other TNers). The finish went on and on and on........ Found it to be just a touch hot when served neat. One ice cube in a 2 oz pour brought this incredible elixir to perfection, and my experience to unforgettable.
Have heard that the add'l cost for 20 & 23 year old versions was not paid back. Makes me wonder......
Drink at will, but before the angels take their share.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2014 - farinas Likes this wine: 97 Points
Burnt sugar, honey, and sweet malt meets new and effusive French oak with fresh vanilla and ton of weight. This is elegant, powerful, dense, and with plenty of depth and character. Simply stunning...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2013 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Friday Night Double Blind Tasting $40+ (Bin 75): Orange tawny with seemingly green hues; nose has vanilla and you'd definitely say it was Bourbon, but the vanilla is evolving in the 15 which is more like vanilla cream, toffee, nutty, and a surprising similarity to an old Madeira; this exudes class but still has a youthful kick to it; a tasty treat that I wanted to savor this time around.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2013 - numen Likes this wine: 91 Points
sample from a friend (S-W distillate)
Nose: Light and elegant. It suggests its age with a hint of varnish, and then quickly yields to richer elements. Honey, caramel, gentle spice, and soft cinnamon. The crust of creme brulee. Buttery rich vanilla (and salted butter). Residue of anise or menthol. What strikes me here is the balance of the aromas, and even more that they're all high quality components.
Palate: Toffee mixed with syrup. Some varnish follows for the oak. Buttery butterscotch with a few grains of sea salt. Sweet maple. Salted caramel. Almost a puff of smoke. The same vanilla quality in milky-buttery goodness. Not the widest profile; it just hits these points very well. With more time, some of the deeper and richer notes fade and the varnish becomes more prominent.
Finish: More on the salted caramel, maple, light spice, butter, and oak/varnish in varying levels of emphasis as it continues to evolve. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the hullaballoo about Pappy, but then, at other times, you get an older pour like this and you can see why it was such a fan favorite, current craze aside. I love salted caramel/toffee, though I'm never quite as keen these varnishy notes. Thankfully, even when it's present, it's not dominant. In all, an excellent dram. I did like it with a bit less air (and varnish), yet taking it all into account, A- (91.5)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2012 - camben wrote: 98 Points
If you have never had this, you should. I had a glass neat after dinner and while I was sleeping I could still taste it. So smooth yet poweful. I love this stuff
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2004 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 97 Points
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY BARREL PROGRAM WITH BILL HART (SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA): 107 proof, Bigger, richer than the 12 year old, smooth but richer, also hotter.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment