Incredibly old for a bourbon, this bottling of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve was aged for 20 years and retains a beautiful sweetness, a perfect digestif whiskey.
Stewed fruits on the nose, sweet spices, oiliness, white chocolate, walnut.
Rich, soft and sweet oak with custard. The mouthfeel is like silk, and Preston Van Winkle likens this to a classic Cognac, and we reckon he’s onto something. The maturity, smooth/oily feel of this on the tongue, coupled with musty fruitiness sum up what we love about a decent XO, this is sublime.
Good length, with hints of honeycomb, peppery spices and prune.
Heaven!
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The best bourbon made! Why is it so difficult to purchase in the Uk? Could anyone recommend a Bourbon close enough to this?
name 1.
I've had hundreds of bourbons (only worth noting as to explain I'm no bourbon-hater, nor new to the style), and this is definitely great. However, it is far more hype than anything. I was very underwhelmed. This day and age, with how saturated the market is with bourbons and craft American whiskey, there is absolutely no need to stress over getting a bottle of this, other than bragging rights. It's mostly psychological. I can think of at least a dozen bourbons that are less than half the price, easier to find, and taste better. Of course, taste is subjective.
As a bourbon-sipper for many years, I have sought to find the penultimate after-dinner, sitting-on-the-porch-in-a-rocking-chair, listening-to-the-crickets bourbon, and I think this is it. This stuff is hard to find and the price is steep-- but worth it. Just strong enough to give a solid burn but not so rough as to overpower. Smokey and soft and thick, all in one. This is the one I break out for old friends and close family, and sometimes savor with a cigar. If I could put one bourbon on my shelf for once-a-month sipping, this would be it.
