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The fall whiskey season just got a lot more exciting. Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and Buffalo Trace Distillery have officially announced the release of their highly coveted 2025 Van Winkle Whiskey Collection, bringing six exceptional expressions back to shelves across America. But this year's release comes with an extraordinary twist: a rare 25-year-old bottle, recently rediscovered at the distillery, will headline Legacy de Forge's National Bourbon Heritage Month Auction.
For food and beverage professionals and whiskey enthusiasts alike, this announcement represents one of the industry's most anticipated annual events. The Van Winkle collection continues to set the gold standard for premium American whiskey, with each bottle representing decades of careful aging and uncompromising craftsmanship.
The 2025 Collection: Six Expressions of Excellence
This year's Van Winkle lineup maintains the family's tradition of offering whiskey across multiple age statements, each with its own distinct character profile. The collection features the complete range from the approachable 10-year-old expression to the legendary 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve.
Complete 2025 Pricing and Tasting Notes
Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old – $149.99
This season's 10-year expression delivers classic sweetness balanced with smoky sophistication. The nose reveals vanilla, caramel, and pecan notes complemented by seasoned oak, warm tobacco, and charred wood. On the palate, expect smooth richness with wheat, cherry, bold oak, and subtle spice, finishing long with smoky oak, dark vanilla, and lingering warmth.
Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old – $169.99
The 12-year brings a bolder, woodier edge to this bright fruit and delicate spice profile. Aromas of oak, dried mango, cocoa, and spiced peach mingle with cherry and vanilla. The palate offers honey, tobacco, and dark fruit, evolving into stone fruit and cocoa with a dry, balanced finish of oak, cherry, and gentle spice.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old – $229.99
This rye expression builds on soft, spiced elegance with richer, fruit-forward complexity. The nose welcomes roasted chestnut, vanilla, and subtle spice deepened by cherry, stone fruit, and warming oak. Layers of cocoa, white pepper, and vanilla meet bold cherry and stone fruits, balanced by oak and cedar, leading to a long, warm finish with caramel, spice, and dry oak.
Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old – $239.99
The 15-year amplifies signature sweetness with added depth. Brown sugar, caramel corn, and vanilla aromas blend with wood and cherry hints. The rich palate features leather, oak, and dark fruit smoothed by brown sugar and lifted by cherry brightness. A long, dry finish leaves lingering spice, oak tannins, and warming fruit and sugar notes.
Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old – $359.99
This expression brings depth to bourbon known for intensity and elegance. The vibrant nose features citrus zest and dried fruit joined by lush plum and cherry notes. Smooth citrus and vanilla meet juicy stone fruit and sherry hints on the palate. The long, elegant, fruit-kissed finish leaves whispers of plum, cherry, and warm spice.
Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old – $499.99
The flagship expression turns up intensity while staying true to Pappy Van Winkle's heart. The bold nose leads with rich caramel and cream, joined by oak, leather, and ripe cherry. The full, flavorful palate features vanilla, honey, and maple with cherry bursts and warming heat. The long, oaky, fruit-laced finish delivers spice, sweetness, and satisfying warmth.
The Crown Jewel: Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old
Perhaps the most exciting element of this year's release isn't available in stores at all. One rare bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, recently rediscovered at Buffalo Trace Distillery, will be featured in Legacy de Forge's National Bourbon Heritage Month Auction.
Originally filled into its hand-engraved Glencairn crystal decanter in 2017, Bottle #706 remained safely stored at the distillery for nearly a decade. As one of the final bottles from the original 710 produced, this represents more than a rare collectible: it's a once-hidden treasure made available for today's enthusiasts.
The auction, running from September 10-24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET, features eight curated lots including O.F.C 2006, the newly-released Colonel E.H. Taylor Distiller's Council, and a Stagg Single Barrel pick. For complete auction details, visit legacydeforge.com/release/bourbon-heritage-month-2025.
Industry Perspective: What This Means for F&B Professionals
"As always, each release represents years of quiet work, careful aging and a deep respect for the legacy we carry forward," said Preston Van Winkle, 4th Generation, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. "We've taken great care to ensure the quality of this year's release lives up to the Van Winkle name."
For restaurant owners, beverage directors, and hospitality professionals, the Van Winkle collection represents both opportunity and challenge. These whiskeys command premium pricing and attract serious collectors, making them valuable additions to high-end spirits programs. However, limited availability means securing allocations requires strong distributor relationships and often pre-orders.
Julian P. Van Winkle III, President of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, emphasizes the collection's deeper meaning: "Those who follow this release year after year know it's not just about whiskey, but about what it represents. This whiskey collection is a reflection of our family's legacy and a tribute to the generations who came before us."
The Van Winkle Legacy: Four Generations of Excellence
The Van Winkle story began in the late 1800s with Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle, Sr., who started as a traveling salesman for W.L. Weller and Sons. Through partnerships and acquisitions, Pappy eventually opened the renowned Stitzel-Weller Distillery in 1935, producing brands like W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, and Rebel Yell.
After the distillery's sale in 1972, Julian Jr. resurrected the Old Rip Van Winkle label: the only brand rights the family retained. Julian III took over in 1981, and his son Preston joined in 2001, continuing the tradition of high-quality wheated bourbon production.
The 2002 partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery reunited Van Winkle and Weller bourbons under one roof, ensuring continued production with uncompromising standards.
Consumer Safety and Market Realities
With great demand comes great responsibility. The Van Winkle family and Buffalo Trace strongly recommend purchasing only through licensed retailers. The secondary market poses significant risks, including counterfeit products and price gouging.
"Neither we nor Buffalo Trace Distillery control the prices individual retailers charge," the family notes. They particularly warn against purchases from Craigslist, eBay, social media groups, and international sellers, where alcohol scams frequently occur.
Consumers who suspect fraud should avoid consuming the product, file complaints with the Better Business Bureau and State Attorney General, and contact credit card companies about fraud protection policies.
Looking Forward: The Future of Premium American Whiskey
The 2025 Van Winkle release demonstrates the continued strength of the premium American whiskey market. For food and beverage industry professionals, these releases offer insights into consumer preferences for authenticity, craftsmanship, and heritage stories.
The success of auction platforms like Legacy de Forge also indicates growing sophistication in whiskey collecting, creating new opportunities for hospitality businesses to engage serious enthusiasts through exclusive tastings and educational events.
As we move through National Bourbon Heritage Month, the Van Winkle collection serves as a reminder of American whiskey's rich heritage and bright future. Whether securing bottles for your restaurant's collection or simply appreciating the craftsmanship, this year's release represents the pinnacle of American whiskey making.
For more information about the Van Winkle family of bourbons, visit oldripvanwinkle.com.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
