Ah its the cold winter days time of year to be thankful for the opportunity to give Pappy Van Winkle a splash around your palate, to take in all the joy it brings and to enjoy a perfectly proofed bourbon. A note* from the Van Winkle folks themselves about the process of putting this bad boy together. (This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well-water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find.) The price of these bourbons and its brothers who are much older in age, are pretty ridiculous but if you can get your hands on some to just give it a taste, its more than enough. There is honestly no need to spend upwards of thousands of dollars to own these bottles unless you're a collector, even then it might be a bit silly.

Name: Old Rop Van Winkle 10 year

Region: Kentucky, USA

Proof: 107

Nose: Sweet caramel, lightly spicy, hints of vanilla and juniper berries

Palate: Charred oak, nuts, caramel, more sweetness

Finish: The finish is spicy with hints of cinnamon, it finishes quite smoothly

Score: 86

Don't get me wrong its not a bad bourbon, its just not worth paying $500+ for a bourbon that's only worth about $60. It tastes like a $60 bourbon and it should be marked at a $60 bourbon. Great to taste, but too expensive to own.