Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a highly sought-after wheated bourbon from the legendary Van Winkle family, produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV), this bourbon is aged for a full decade and receives only a touch of Kentucky limestone water before bottling, making it nearly barrel proof.

The nose presents sweet vanilla with caramel, pecan, and oak wood notes. On the palate, expect a smooth and mellow flavor with robust wheat character, cherries, honey, and oak. The finish is long and smoky with hints of fruit, spice, and oak tannins. Despite its high proof, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year drinks remarkably smooth with minimal burn.

This bourbon has received a 95-point rating (Exceptional) from the Beverage Testing Institute, praised as a sensationally flavorful and deep bourbon suitable for sipping or cocktails. Due to extremely limited annual releases from Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery—typically in early October with retail availability between mid-October and early December—this expression is exceptionally rare and highly coveted among bourbon enthusiasts.