Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Old Rip Van Winkle is one of the most celebrated and hardest-to-find names in American bourbon — and this 10 Year Old, bottled at a robust 107 proof, is the boldest, most powerful expression in the entire Van Winkle family lineup. While the Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12 Year and the legendary Pappy expressions are bottled at softer proofs for elegance and approachability, Old Rip 10 Year was designed to deliver the full intensity of a decade of Kentucky aging with minimal intervention. Only a small splash of Kentucky limestone water is added before bottling, making this as close to a true barrel-strength wheated bourbon as the family produces. The label itself tells the story: "Aged Many Years in the Wood — 10 Summers Old." That language is deliberate — a nod to the Van Winkle family's deep roots in bourbon history going back to Pappy Van Winkle Sr. himself in the 1890s.

Like every expression in the Van Winkle family, Old Rip 10 Year is built on Buffalo Trace's wheated bourbon mash bill — the same foundation that gives Weller its character, but hand-selected by the Van Winkle family's own tasters who sample barrels throughout aging to identify those with the depth and profile worthy of the Van Winkle name. Wheat in place of rye as the secondary grain produces a softer, rounder bourbon — but at 107 proof, that softness is matched by extraordinary richness and intensity. The result is a bourbon of genuine power and personality: concentrated dried fruit, layered baking spice, caramel, and toasted oak that hit with real presence but without the harshness you might expect at this proof. Released annually in extremely limited quantities through allocation, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year is a legitimate trophy bottle at the most accessible price point in the Van Winkle family.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep rich copper — warm and luminous, showing the full decade of barrel contact

Nose: Bold and inviting — butterscotch, caramel, and warm vanilla open first, followed by cherry cola, dried fruit, and a vanilla-orange dreamsicle sweetness. Seasoned oak, ground cinnamon, clove, and a subtle floral note — a signature of the Van Winkle wheated profile — develop with time in the glass. Enticingly sweet and spicy without any harshness.

Palate: Full-bodied and rich with a lush, satisfying weight. Honey, toffee, and dark fruit lead — concentrated cherry, dried plum, and orange — layered with toasted nuts, nutmeg, baking spice, and charred oak. The higher proof amplifies every note with remarkable presence, yet the wheated mash bill keeps it from ever turning harsh or bitter. Drinks significantly lighter than 107 proof.

Finish: Long, bold, and deeply satisfying — a wave of peppery brown spice, floral honey, caramel, and charred barrel that lingers and builds. One of the most impressive finishes in the Van Winkle lineup.

FAQ

Is Old Rip Van Winkle the same as Pappy Van Winkle?
No — though they are from the same family and share the same wheated mash bill. "Pappy Van Winkle" technically refers only to the 15, 20, and 23 year expressions. Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year is its own distinct release: younger, bottled at a much higher proof (107 vs. 90.4 for Lot B), and built for bourbon lovers who want the full power and intensity of the Van Winkle wheated character at its boldest. Both are from the same annual limited allocation and equally difficult to find at retail.

Why is it bottled at 107 proof?
107 proof is a historic bottling strength with deep roots in Kentucky bourbon tradition — it was once considered "barrel proof" for many distilleries, including the original Stitzel-Weller Distillery that the Van Winkle family is descended from. Only a small splash of Kentucky limestone water is added before bottling, keeping this as close to the natural barrel strength as possible. The result is a bourbon with maximum flavor intensity and concentration.

How does this compare to Weller Antique 107?
Both share the same wheated mash bill and the same 107 proof bottling strength. The key difference is barrel selection: every barrel in the Van Winkle lineup is hand-selected by the Van Winkle family's own tasters, who evaluate each barrel throughout its aging and choose only those that meet the Van Winkle standard. The result is a more refined and concentrated expression of the same foundation — which is exactly why Old Rip Van Winkle commands the reputation and demand that it does.

Where can I buy Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year 107 Proof online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.