Comments on: Review: Old Rip Van Winkle Family Selection 23 yr. old http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:01:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13437 John Hansell Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:10:14 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13437 Scott, it looks nice! Thanks for posting the pic. Scott, it looks nice! Thanks for posting the pic.

]]> By: Scott http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13432 Scott Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:32:44 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13432 Sorry about the wait, my access at home has been really bad past week. Here is the pic of the Pappy 23 in our display case: http://i45.tinypic.com/zkqvyx.jpg Sorry about the wait, my access at home has been really bad past week. Here is the pic of the Pappy 23 in our display case:

http://i45.tinypic.com/zkqvyx.jpg

]]> By: Kevin http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13384 Kevin Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:39:15 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13384 If this is just some marketing gimmick (which I doubt it is) they've hit me hook, line & sinker. I will definitely be grabbing one, if not two, of these... I have long wished that the 23 year was higher in proof and now I've got it, along with anice nox, decanter & glasses. If this is just some marketing gimmick (which I doubt it is) they’ve hit me hook, line & sinker. I will definitely be grabbing one, if not two, of these… I have long wished that the 23 year was higher in proof and now I’ve got it, along with anice nox, decanter & glasses.

]]> By: Best in Blog #53: The Definitive Guide to Christmas Whisky Shopping | Whisky Party http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13249 Best in Blog #53: The Definitive Guide to Christmas Whisky Shopping | Whisky Party Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:10:16 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13249 [...] On the bourbon front, John Hansell talks about this innovative new wheated bourbon finished off in a rye cask. He also gives a 95 rating to Old Rip Van Winkle Family Selection 23 year old. [...] [...] On the bourbon front, John Hansell talks about this innovative new wheated bourbon finished off in a rye cask. He also gives a 95 rating to Old Rip Van Winkle Family Selection 23 year old. [...]

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13238 John Hansell Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:31:56 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13238 Thanks Scott! Thanks Scott!

]]> By: Scott http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13237 Scott Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:27:34 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13237 We just got in our only set of this and up close it is very impressive. (I'll post some pics tonight when I get home... can't do it from work.) Glencairne glassware looks very nice! We just got in our only set of this and up close it is very impressive. (I’ll post some pics tonight when I get home… can’t do it from work.) Glencairne glassware looks very nice!

]]> By: Jeff H. http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13210 Jeff H. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:33:28 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13210 sam - I guess you could say the same about, say, a Laphroaig 10. I certainly get plenty of aroma from that when drinking out of a tumbler. Problem is, it seems to only be part of the aroma, not the full story. It sure seems like a tapered top helps bring together all of the elements better. Maybe it's all in my head, though. Cheers, Jeff sam – I guess you could say the same about, say, a Laphroaig 10. I certainly get plenty of aroma from that when drinking out of a tumbler. Problem is, it seems to only be part of the aroma, not the full story.

It sure seems like a tapered top helps bring together all of the elements better. Maybe it’s all in my head, though.

Cheers,
Jeff

]]> By: sam k http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13204 sam k Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:31:15 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13204 Jeff H, I have no argument with twenty-three year old, 114 proof bourbon being served in wider-mouth glasses. Lighter single malts might need the concentration, sure, but there's plenty of aroma to be enjoyed regardless of serving vessel with a big bourbon like this. Julian wouldn't lead you astray! Jeff H, I have no argument with twenty-three year old, 114 proof bourbon being served in wider-mouth glasses. Lighter single malts might need the concentration, sure, but there’s plenty of aroma to be enjoyed regardless of serving vessel with a big bourbon like this.

Julian wouldn’t lead you astray!

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13186 John Hansell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:58 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13186 sku, I think your Port Ellen/Brora analogy is a good one. Yes, there's bling. But this is a piece of history (coming from the old Stitzel-Weller distiller), and very high quality too. One thing I know for sure: If I found this under my Christmas tree later this month, I would not be complaining to Santa. And regarding the side-by-side comparison with the standard 23 year old , I did that twice and it was very interesting. I wouldn't say the flavor profile was identical, but certainly closely related. sku, I think your Port Ellen/Brora analogy is a good one. Yes, there’s bling. But this is a piece of history (coming from the old Stitzel-Weller distiller), and very high quality too.

One thing I know for sure: If I found this under my Christmas tree later this month, I would not be complaining to Santa.

And regarding the side-by-side comparison with the standard 23 year old , I did that twice and it was very interesting. I wouldn’t say the flavor profile was identical, but certainly closely related.

]]> By: Andy http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13180 Andy Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:45:55 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13180 What a sad world it would be if all whisky came in a standard tall round and how miserable it would be for the uneducated consumer who goes in for a bottle at Christmas. It would be like to trying to pick a quality mid priced claret back in the early 90's. What a sad world it would be if all whisky came in a standard tall round and how miserable it would be for the uneducated consumer who goes in for a bottle at Christmas. It would be like to trying to pick a quality mid priced claret back in the early 90′s.

]]> By: Jeff H. http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13177 Jeff H. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:41:55 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13177 I know I'm not supposed to be swayed by the fancy packaging, but knowing that there's great whiskey inside, I sure wouldn't mind having that decanter. As for the glasses...old-fashioned style tumblers? Really? Maybe that's just the bourbon way, but I'd like to at least see a tapered opening. I mean, for $350, you're going to want to get the most out of all facets of the drinking experience, including the nose. I suppose they're nice looking, though. I know I’m not supposed to be swayed by the fancy packaging, but knowing that there’s great whiskey inside, I sure wouldn’t mind having that decanter.

As for the glasses…old-fashioned style tumblers? Really? Maybe that’s just the bourbon way, but I’d like to at least see a tapered opening. I mean, for $350, you’re going to want to get the most out of all facets of the drinking experience, including the nose.

I suppose they’re nice looking, though.

]]> By: sku http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13172 sku Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:56:16 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13172 From what I've read, this is a 23 year old Bourbon from Stitzel-Weller stocks, hand picked by Julian Van Winkle. That makes it the equivalent of a Brora or Port Ellen - - rare and collectible, but also a distillery known for good whiskey. Given those comparisons, I think it's hard to complain too much about the price here, though yes, they have added some bling. It's a big bonus that you can get some Pappy 23 for much less, and I'd love to do a side by side tasting of the two. From what I’ve read, this is a 23 year old Bourbon from Stitzel-Weller stocks, hand picked by Julian Van Winkle. That makes it the equivalent of a Brora or Port Ellen – - rare and collectible, but also a distillery known for good whiskey. Given those comparisons, I think it’s hard to complain too much about the price here, though yes, they have added some bling.

It’s a big bonus that you can get some Pappy 23 for much less, and I’d love to do a side by side tasting of the two.

]]> By: JWC http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13170 JWC Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:29:11 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13170 john, so far, buffalo trace has been very good to its customers and it has generated a ton of goodwill - they haven't been pulling the same stuff as the scotch distillers (perhaps bc it being bourbon, they're not in a position to do so). i know the pappy's are being made by bt - it would have been great if they had come out with this whiskey without all the doo-dads but i doubt people would have paid extra over the other 23 yr old. as a matter of fact, around houston, the 15 yr olds sold out asap, the 20 yr olds - only a few left. the 23 yr olds - still sitting on the shelves. john, so far, buffalo trace has been very good to its customers and it has generated a ton of goodwill – they haven’t been pulling the same stuff as the scotch distillers (perhaps bc it being bourbon, they’re not in a position to do so). i know the pappy’s are being made by bt – it would have been great if they had come out with this whiskey without all the doo-dads but i doubt people would have paid extra over the other 23 yr old. as a matter of fact, around houston, the 15 yr olds sold out asap, the 20 yr olds – only a few left. the 23 yr olds – still sitting on the shelves.

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13162 John Hansell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:37:20 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13162 JWC, the proof is higher, so you're getting a little more. But, you have to ask if the glasses, decanter, and box are worth the extra price. Some will agree, some won't. Some will see the extra expense being a waste. Others will look at the decanter and glasses and say, "these will make a nice FUNCTIONAL memory of a great whiskey after the whiskey is gone." JWC, the proof is higher, so you’re getting a little more. But, you have to ask if the glasses, decanter, and box are worth the extra price. Some will agree, some won’t. Some will see the extra expense being a waste. Others will look at the decanter and glasses and say, “these will make a nice FUNCTIONAL memory of a great whiskey after the whiskey is gone.”

]]> By: JWC http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2009/12/08/review-old-rip-van-winkle-family-selection-23-yr-old/#comment-13161 JWC Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:30:25 +0000 http://blog.maltadvocate.com/?p=2831#comment-13161 john, let's be honest, besides the box, decanter and glasses, is there ANY difference to justify the price difference between this and the "other" 23 yr old pappy? when i heard about this, my first thought was: oh no, american bourbon makers are trying to copy the marketing crap of the scotch distillers. the special johnnie walker blues (astronomically priced) fell flat - i guess that's why the pappy is only $130 more than the "regular" 23 yr old pappy. john, let’s be honest, besides the box, decanter and glasses, is there ANY difference to justify the price difference between this and the “other” 23 yr old pappy? when i heard about this, my first thought was: oh no, american bourbon makers are trying to copy the marketing crap of the scotch distillers.

the special johnnie walker blues (astronomically priced) fell flat – i guess that’s why the pappy is only $130 more than the “regular” 23 yr old pappy.

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