A Rare Treasure Trove: The 2024 Pappy Van Winkle Collection Debuts with Surprising 20 & 23 Year Bottles

In December 2024, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (in partnership with Buffalo Trace) unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Pappy Van Winkle Collection, featuring six exquisite wheated whiskeys, and notably, a rare surplus of the exceptionally aged 20- and 23-year-old expressions.

What Makes This Release So Standout?

  • Higher Yield = More Rare Bottles Available
    For 2024, both the 20-year-old and 23-year-old bourbons are more plentiful than usual. Buffalo Trace attributes this to an "exceptional yield" from the barrels, giving collectors and enthusiasts a better shot than in prior years, though scarcity remains.

  • Six Expressions, One Legendary Legacy

    1. Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade 10-Year-Old – 107 proof, rich oak-spiced notes, dark cherry, tobacco.

    2. Special Reserve 12-Year-Old – 90.4 proof, aromas of stone fruit and chocolate move into a honeyed palate with a dry finish.

    3. Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old – 95.6 proof, roasted nuts, vanilla, fruit, chocolate, baking spices.

    4. Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old – 107 proof, vanilla, caramel corn, leather, dark fruit, and spice.

    5. Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old – 90.4 proof, holiday spices, caramel, cinnamon sugar, chocolate with a dry, oaky finish.

    6. Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old – 95.6 proof, rich caramel, cream, oak, nuts, leather, with vanilla, maple, citrus, and a lingering dry finish.

Why It Matters for Your Audience

  • Unprecedented Availability — More of the 20- and 23-year-old bottles are accessible this year than ever before. A rare win for lovers of ultra-aged bourbons. 

  • Craft That Speaks of Time — Each bottle is a testament to decades of aging, offering complex flavor layers from oak-driven spice to creamy caramel and deep spice.

  • A Legacy in a Glass — The Van Winkle name continues to blend family tradition and bourbon craftsmanship, making each bottle as collectible as it is delicious.