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Catalogue Preview
A 12-year-old wheated Kentucky bourbon, bottled at 90.4 proof with dried fruit, honey, oak and tobacco.
Overview
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is part of the Van Winkle collection produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey made from a wheated mash and bottled at 90.4 proof, or 45.2% ABV.
Within the Van Winkle family, it sits between Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the older Pappy Van Winkle bourbon expressions, offering a more measured proof and a longer maturation profile than the 10-year-old release.
The Spirit
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is aged for twelve years and built around a wheated bourbon mash. Buffalo Trace lists the profile as light aromas of dried mango, cocoa, fruit and spiced peach, followed by honey, oak and tobacco on the palate. The finish is described as balanced and dry, with a lingering tingle.
The wheated mash bill remains central to the character, softening the grain profile while allowing oak, fruit and tobacco notes to carry through the lower bottling proof.
Why It Matters
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is significant as one of the most recognised age-stated wheated bourbons in the Van Winkle collection. It reflects the family’s long association with wheated bourbon, now produced at Buffalo Trace under the Van Winkle joint venture established in 2002.
Its relevance lies in the combination of 12-year maturation, 90.4 proof bottling and a flavour structure built around wheat, dried fruit, honey, oak and tobacco.
Serving & Context
Best approached neat initially, particularly for those wanting to assess the balance between wheat, oak maturity and fruit-led sweetness. A small amount of water may be used, though at 45.2% ABV it is often best handled with restraint.
Availability Note
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year forms part of the wider Van Winkle collection, which Buffalo Trace describes as highly sought after. In Australia, remaining examples are generally encountered through specialist merchants, private cellars and secondary-market channels.
Catalogue Preview
A 12-year-old wheated Kentucky bourbon, bottled at 90.4 proof with dried fruit, honey, oak and tobacco.
Overview
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is part of the Van Winkle collection produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey made from a wheated mash and bottled at 90.4 proof, or 45.2% ABV.
Within the Van Winkle family, it sits between Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the older Pappy Van Winkle bourbon expressions, offering a more measured proof and a longer maturation profile than the 10-year-old release.
The Spirit
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is aged for twelve years and built around a wheated bourbon mash. Buffalo Trace lists the profile as light aromas of dried mango, cocoa, fruit and spiced peach, followed by honey, oak and tobacco on the palate. The finish is described as balanced and dry, with a lingering tingle.
The wheated mash bill remains central to the character, softening the grain profile while allowing oak, fruit and tobacco notes to carry through the lower bottling proof.
Why It Matters
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year is significant as one of the most recognised age-stated wheated bourbons in the Van Winkle collection. It reflects the family’s long association with wheated bourbon, now produced at Buffalo Trace under the Van Winkle joint venture established in 2002.
Its relevance lies in the combination of 12-year maturation, 90.4 proof bottling and a flavour structure built around wheat, dried fruit, honey, oak and tobacco.
Serving & Context
Best approached neat initially, particularly for those wanting to assess the balance between wheat, oak maturity and fruit-led sweetness. A small amount of water may be used, though at 45.2% ABV it is often best handled with restraint.
Availability Note
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year forms part of the wider Van Winkle collection, which Buffalo Trace describes as highly sought after. In Australia, remaining examples are generally encountered through specialist merchants, private cellars and secondary-market channels.
