Moving up to a higher price point, we have the Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey. Note that this is a straight rye, not a bourbon. That means it is not as sweet. This whiskey spent 13 years aging in American white oak bottles, and has a composition that is around 51% rye.
The alcohol content is 47.8%, which is worth noting if you would prefer a higher alcohol content. Still, it provides a nice balance just as it is.
On the nose, this straight rye whiskey features aromas of caramel, sweet tobacco, oak char, cherry, citrus, peach and spices, including cinnamon and clove. There is a hint of anise, but not too strong. For a rye whiskey, you might expect it to be earthier than it is.
The flavors are much as you’d expect given the aromas. You’ll pick up plenty of peach, plus citrus, oak, honey, vanilla, and spices. The fruity notes are the strongest, followed by the vanilla sweetness. As for the finish, the peach continues to dominate, along with honey, citrus, oak and spices.
Choose This Pappy Bourbon If:
If you are looking for a straight rye whiskey from Pappy, the 13 Year Old is an outstanding bottle. As a straight rye, it offers a bit of a different flavor profile from the 10-year and 12-year lot b picks in this list.