BOTM: 7/12 Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye

[jcg9779]

Man, what a Whiskey. It's marries the minty/spice of young rye with the warm vanilla/oak of elder Rye, but then it adds a fat sweetness, the likes of which I just don't get on other Ryes. I love Vintage 21, Hirsch 22 and 25, Black Maple 23, Saz 18, but none of them can touch this one, IMHO. Also, while I do drink more Bourbon than Rye, I don't think VWFRR can be touched by any category.

I've had some rare bottlings that I've enjoyed more, possibly, but they're either dusty or one-offs. Dare I say that I think this is the finest, current regular-release whiskey of them all. Yeah, I like it.

I pretty much agree with what White Dog says. I love the VWFRR, but rarely pour it because of its scarcity. It's a terrific whiskey though!

[Trey Manthey]

I had my first pour of this recently in a bar and didn't come away terribly impressed. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Not that it was bad, but I have a creeping feeling that the label gives it more shelf cred than it deserves.

However, for the sake of science, I don't think I'll be able to resist picking up a bottle if I come across one in the Fall.

[White Dog]

I'm a bit shocked by how quiet this month's thread is, considering what it is. Maybe Joe's warning scared everyone away?

[White Dog]

I had my first pour of this recently in a bar and didn't come away terribly impressed. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Not that it was bad, but I have a creeping feeling that the label gives it more shelf cred than it deserves.

However, for the sake of science, I don't think I'll be able to resist picking up a bottle if I come across one in the Fall.

FWIW, there are many a great tasters on this board who love this particular whiskey, and who are also not swayed by the Van Winkle name. We can debate the merits of the Van Winkle Wheaters until we're blue in the face, and indeed we have, but I rarely hear a bad word spoken about the Rye.

[tommyboy38]

It's been a few months since I had a pour but it's my number 1 American whiskey hands down...until the bunker runs dry and then I'll find another favorite but It's been love from first sip with the VWFRR.

[Restaurant man]

I'm a bit shocked by how quiet this month's thread is, considering what it is. Maybe Joe's warning scared everyone away?

Whats to say? It's the best! I can't even bring myself to open one until I become a better person

[PaulO]

I've never tried it, but I have enjoyed most of the other ryes I've tasted. At one time or another, I've seen the other VW products in stores, but never the rye. I'm wondering what the regular retail price should be. I'm guessing it would be close to the same as Lot B, because they are about the same age. What do you guys think?

[White Dog]

Age statement comparisons aside, I find it from between $60 and $70, and that's a fair price, IMHO.

[Trey Manthey]

I've never seen VWFRR on the shelf. In your experience, how easy is it to find compared to Lot B and the rest of the Pappy line?

[yountvillewjs]

I've never seen VWFRR on the shelf. In your experience, how easy is it to find compared to Lot B and the rest of the Pappy line?

In my opinion and experience - It is the hardest to find, rarest of the Julian empire. And this includes the PVW's