Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 107 Proof 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Increased demand worldwide for premium Bourbon has made the whiskeys of Van Winkle increasingly difficult to source. From time to time we receive very small allocations of this esteemed 107 proof 15 year old expression. It's the only one of the three in the PVW collection bottled at high proof. You get some of the sweetness associated with older Pappy, combined with a punchy, oily body and a good dose of spice. Aside from Jim Murray, the last time any major reviewer was able to sample this was back in 2012. Now it's either too expensive to open or unprocurable - or both.

Other reviews.... A dream-like Bourbon coating the mouth so perfectly... usually I spit everything I taste. I accidently found myself swallowing a drop of this without thinking. A bourbon lover's bourbon. 96 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020.

Sometime recently, the source of this whiskey changed from the now defunct Stitzel-Weller distillery to Buffalo Trace. No matter. This whiskey is still the best of the Van Winkle line. It’s crisp, clean, vibrant, impeccably balanced, and nicely matured. Complex fruit (bramble, candied citrus), caramel, coconut custard, maple syrup, fresh spice (vanilla, warming cinnamon, nutmeg, a dusting of cocoa powder) on a bed of nougat. Outstanding! (Editor's Choice) 96 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: John Hansell (Summer 2012)

...Hazy copper color. A rich, supple entry leads to a decandent, huge, full-bodied palate with intense caramel, toffee and peppery brown spice flavors. Finishes with an extreme long, complex, evolving fade of spice and wood notes. A seductive, exotic, and virtually flawless bourbon. 98 points (Superlative) International Review of Spirits Award: Platinum Medal - tastings.com

Nose: Mature. Inside of an old wardrobe. Leather. Date, chocolate, coffee, black cherry, cigar. Good caramelisation and a tingle of sweet spices. Palate: As nose suggests, in the bigger camp. Rich and precise. Bitter chocolate into raisin. Great balance. Finish: Long powerful. Comment: An elegant old gentleman. Great balance. Highly recommended. - Dave Broom, -whiskymag.com