Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and Buffalo Trace Distillery have announced the 2025 release of their Van Winkle Whiskey Collection.
Returning to shelves this September, the annual offering showcases the family’s wheated bourbon and rye whiskey recipes across six expressions: Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year Old, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year Old, and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year Old.
Additionally, one bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old — recently rediscovered at the distillery — will be included in Legacy de Forge’s National Bourbon Heritage Month Auction starting September 10, 2025.
“As always, each release represents years of quiet work, careful aging and a deep respect for the legacy we carry forward,” says Preston Van Winkle, 4th Generation, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “We’ve taken great care to ensure the quality of this year’s release lives up to the Van Winkle name. We’re proud to share this whiskey with those who appreciate the craft, patience and tradition that go into every bottle.”
In celebration of the 2025 Van Winkle Collection release and National Bourbon Heritage Month, Legacy de Forge, a new global platform to improve access to Sazerac’s most coveted spirits, will present an series of rare whiskey auctions this September. Leading the offerings is Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, the oldest and rarest expression ever released under the brand name, paired with a private tasting with Julian Van Winkle.
Originally filled into its hand-engraved Glencairn crystal decanter in 2017, Bottle #706 was tucked away at Buffalo Trace Distillery, untouched for nearly a decade. It’s one of the final bottles from the original 710 produced.
Legacy de Forge’s September Bourbon Heritage Month Auction will feature eight curated lots in total, offering fans direct access to bottlings including O.F.C 2006, the newly-released Colonel E.H. Taylor Distiller’s Council and a Stagg Single Barrel pick. Bidding opens at 10:00 a.m. ET on September 10, 2025, and will close at 10:00 a.m. ET on September 24, 2025. For more information, please visit here.
The 2025 Van Winkle Collection will be made available to stores, bars and restaurants across the U.S. in limited quantities and at varying retail prices. Distillery-provided tasting notes and suggested retail prices for the limited-edition Van Winkle collection bottles are as follows:
Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old
This season’s 10YR ORVW bourbon balances sweetness and smoky, the distillery says. On the nose, aromas of vanilla, caramel, pecan and seasoned oak meet warm tobacco and charred wood. The palate is smooth and rich with wheat, cherry, bold oak and a hint of spice, leading to a smoky finish layered with oak, dark vanilla and warmth. The suggested retail price is $149.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old
This batch brings a bolder, woodier edge to a bourbon known for its bright fruit and delicate spice, the distillery says. On the nose, aromas of oak, dried mango, cocoa and spiced peach mingle with cherry and vanilla. The palate offers honey, tobacco and dark fruit, evolving into stone fruit and cocoa. On the finish is oak, cherry and gentle spice. SRP: $169.99.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old
This seasonal batch builds on the soft, spiced profile of the original with a richer, fruit-forward complexity, according to the distillery. The nose welcomes you with roasted chestnut, vanilla and subtle spice that is deepened by cherry, stone fruit and warming oak. On the palate, layers of cocoa, white pepper and vanilla meet an infusion of cherry and ripe stone fruits, balanced by oak and cedar. On the finish is caramel, spice and dry oak. SRP: $229.99.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old
This limited batch amplifies the 15YO signature sweetness with added depth, the distillery says. The nose is captivating with aromas of brown sugar, caramel corn and vanilla mingle with wood and a hint of cherry. The palate is rich with leather, oak and dark fruit, smoothed by brown sugar and lifted by cherry brightness. A long, dry finish leaves lingering spice, oak tannins and a warming touch of fruit and sugar. SRP: $239.99.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old
The nose has citrus zest and dried fruit joined by notes of plum and cherry. On the palate, smooth citrus and vanilla meet stone fruit and hints of sherry. The finish is plum, cherry and warm spice. SRP: $359.99
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old
The nose has caramel and cream, joined by oak, leather and a hit of cherry. The palate has vanilla, honey and maple leading the way, with a burst of cherry and a warming heat. The finish contains notes of spice, sweetness and the heat of a stronger pour, according to the distillery. SRP: $499.99
“Those who follow this release year after year know it’s not just about whiskey, but about what it represents,” said Julian P. Van Winkle III, President, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “This whiskey collection is a reflection of our family’s legacy and a tribute to the generations who came before us. The legacy, combined with anticipation, the stories shared over a pour, the appreciation for extended aging – that is what makes each release so special.”
The Van Winkle family reminds fans that neither they nor Buffalo Trace Distillery control the prices individual retailers charge for the expressions. The family also strongly recommends those interested in the Van Winkle Collection to purchase through a licensed retailer. Whiskey enthusiasts increase their risks of alcohol scams by purchasing from secondary markets and online sellers including Craigslist, eBay and social media groups. Additionally, many alcohol scams take place overseas. In some cases, consuming alcohol that is not purchased from a licensed retailer can lead to bodily harm and even casualties.
Whiskey buyers who believe they have been scammed should not drink out of their bottle. They should also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, contact their State Attorney General’s office, and contact their credit card company about its fraud protection policies.
This follows the recent release of Weller 18 and Weller Millennium.
