Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year Old is the oldest regular expression in the Van Winkle lineup and one of the rarest bourbons produced anywhere in the world. Where the 15 and 20 Year are already extraordinarily difficult to find, the 23 Year operates on a different plane entirely. Barrels are carefully selected from the heart of the warehouse after a full 23 years of maturation — only the barrels that have developed the right balance of depth and sweetness without tipping into over-oak are chosen. The result is a bourbon that makes an argument for wheated recipes being uniquely capable of sustaining this level of age.
Distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, using Pappy's original wheated bourbon recipe — wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye. Bottled at 95.6 proof (47.8% ABV), a full 5 proof higher than the 20 Year, which gives it additional structure to carry the weight of 23 Kentucky summers. Rated 5 stars by F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, 95 points by Whisky Advocate, and 95 points by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Each bottle is individually numbered.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Buffalo Trace Distillery (Sazerac Company), Frankfort, Kentucky — in partnership with Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — Wheated |
| Mash Bill |
Wheated bourbon — wheat as secondary grain (undisclosed ratios, same family as W.L. Weller) |
| Barrel Selection |
Hand selected from the heart of the warehouse after 23 years |
| Awards |
5 Stars F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal | 95pts Whisky Advocate | 95pts Ultimate Spirits Challenge |
| Age |
23 Years |
| Proof |
95.6 Proof |
| ABV |
47.8% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml — individually numbered |
| Country |
United States, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber red with dark garnet depth — two decades and more in charred new oak
Nose: Toasty caramel and cream lead, followed by aged oak, roasted nuts, and leather. Vanilla, dried fruit, and a whisper of tobacco develop with time. Warm, complex, and inviting.
Palate: Vanilla, maple, and honey arrive first, layered with citrus zest and gentle spice. Ripe apples, dark cherries, caramel, and oak wood build through the mid palate. Dark chocolate and tobacco add depth. Pronounced wood flavor that leads, in the end, to sweetness rather than bitterness.
Finish: Long, warm, and velvety. Oak, leather, caramel, and spice linger in a sustained and deeply satisfying close.
FAQ
How does Pappy 23 compare to Pappy 20?
The 23 Year is bottled at a higher proof (95.6 vs 90.4), which gives it more structure to carry the additional three years of oak. The 20 Year is often considered the sweeter and more approachable of the two, with more fruit and floral development. The 23 leans more toward wood and leather — it is darker, more complex, and more demanding. Both are extraordinary, and enthusiasts who have the opportunity to compare them rarely agree on which is better.
Why is Pappy 23 so rare?
Of all the Van Winkle expressions, the 23 Year has the smallest annual production — a fraction of the already tiny Pappy releases. Every three additional years in the barrel means three more years of angel's share evaporation and barrel loss, and only the most exceptional barrels survive to develop the right flavor at this age. Most states allocate bottles through lottery systems, and many enthusiasts wait years for the chance to purchase one at MSRP.
Where can I buy Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.
