Tasting Notes

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one of the most coveted expressions in the Van Winkle lineup, aged for 15 years in new charred American oak barrels. The nose opens with rich aromas of caramel, vanilla, and honey layered with toasted oak, dark fruit, and baking spice. On the palate, it is bold and full-bodied, offering flavors of toffee, cocoa, roasted nuts, and leather balanced by cinnamon, clove, and dried cherry. The wheated mashbill provides a smooth, rounded texture while the extended aging adds remarkable depth and complexity. The finish is exceptionally long and warming, with lingering notes of caramel, oak, and spice.

Food Pairings

Starter Spiced almonds or charcuterie with figs, reflecting the bourbon’s nutty sweetness and fruit depth.

Main Course Grilled ribeye or braised short ribs, where the whiskey’s oak and caramel flavors elevate savory richness.

Cheese Aged cheddar or Gouda, pairing beautifully with the bourbon’s nutty and sweet complexity.

Dessert Dark chocolate tart or pecan pie, echoing the bourbon’s cocoa, nut, and caramel layers.