Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year

Flat out amazing. Very complex with the sweeter notes of rye coming through. I was expecting a much spicer profile but was surprised when it wasn’t spicey at all. Very enjoyable but by no means is it worth the secondary prices.

2018 release. Did not live upto the predecessor (2016). Thinner and less of the punch you in the face rye spice. Add a few drops of water and a strong mint note came through on the nose. Biggest disappointment of the evening. Would not pay anymore than msrp for this bottle.

Bottle D5491, 95.6 proof, from the mid-2000s. Beautiful red brown in the glass, with a sweet, vanilla, and spicy nose. Rich roasted grain and spicy grass with oak tannins. Floral caramel, burnt sugar, and spice in the mouth. Oily coating and mint feeling, with just enough ethanol heat. Long dry tingling finish. I used to drink this all the time, as a regular rye cocktail mixer (GREAT Manhattan mixer!), and then it disappeared from store shelves and the price shot up. So good, too bad, now it’s just rarity marketing. Glad I still have an unopened bottle tucked away, hehe.