Description

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year Old 2011 is a rare vintage release from 100% Stitzel-Weller distillate — wheated Kentucky straight bourbon aged 20 years, bottled at 90.4 proof, rated 99/100 by the World Spirits Championship.

Stitzel-Weller was Pappy Van Winkle Sr.’s Louisville distillery, which closed in 1992 — making the 2011 bottling a finite historical artifact drawn from that depleting stock. The wheated mash bill yields a softer, rounder bourbon, and 20 years of maturation produces the signature oiled leather, smoke, dried fruit, and vanilla complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Dark amber and orange
• Nose: Oiled leather, smoke, minerals, coffee, cigar box
• Palate: Smooth — citrus zest, sherry, dried fruits, vanilla
• Finish: Long and elegant

Specs

• Distillery: Stitzel-Weller (closed 1992); bottled by Old Rip Van Winkle / Buffalo Trace
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Vintage: 2011 bottling, 100% Stitzel-Weller
• Age: 20 years
• ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)