Van Winkle Special Reserve

Van Winkle Special Reserve traces its lineage to the late 1800s, when Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle worked as a salesman for W.L. Weller before founding Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky in 1935 alongside Arthur Philip Stitzel. Pappy's guiding principle—"We make fine bourbon at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always fine bourbon"—defined the distillery's unwavering commitment to quality.

This 12-year expression exemplifies the house signature: a wheated bourbon using corn, barley, and wheat instead of the traditional rye. That choice yields a softer, more graceful spirit than conventional bourbon. Stitzel-Weller closed in 1992, making these bottles a window into a vanished Kentucky era.

On the nose, delicate aromas of dried mango and oak unfold, with vanilla icing and sugar notes. The palate is rich and creamy, almost buttery, with hints of smoke and red fruit—cherry especially—woven through. The finish holds smooth and elegant, with the depth and refinement that few bourbons achieve.