Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" 12 Year

Wanted to give 5 stars but not quite. This was as smooth as it gets.

Nose - cherry, candied watermelon, tart apple, caramel, clove, allspice, cinnamon, banana bread, plum, ginger, sweet oak, black pepper, nutmeg, brown sugar, cola, almond, honey, leather, tobacco, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - cherry cola, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, watermelon, clove, black pepper, leather, tobacco, sweet and spicy oak, apple, honey, plum, almond, brown sugar, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with sweet oak, cherry, and baking spice flavors. After trying the 10 and 15 year Van Winkles, this one was a bit of a letdown. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely good bourbon. Just not quite as full flavored as its siblings, possibly due to the lower proof at which it’s bottled. Both the nose and the palate are brighter and lighter than the others. The fruit notes are fresh, rather than dark and dried. And the nuttiness that was very present on the 10 and 15 was more subdued. The candied watermelon note is really interesting though. Almost like eating a Sour Patch Kids gummy. I’m happy to be taking another Van Winkle intermission between vodka tastings. Overall this is good bourbon, but for the money I’d rather have the 10 year old. Obviously it’s not worth the secondary price, but is something I’d recommend paying the price of entry for at a restaurant during a nice dinner out.

Smooth briny finish, delicious! Very smooth entry.

Light caramel and vanilla nose with a caramel candy apple taste with a medium toasted candy apple barrel finish. I'm a bigger fan of the Old Rip Van Winkle over this, but this is still good.