Buffalo Trace’s 2026 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Lineup Has Been Revealed
We’ve already covered some of the most hotly anticipated fall whiskey releases, including Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, Birthday Bourbon, and Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged. But the one name that reigns supreme amongst whiskey fans is Pappy Van Winkle, and Buffalo Trace just released the details about the 2026 lineup of this famous whiskey collection.
Pappy Van Winkle remains one of the most popular American whiskey series, even a few decades after it vaulted into the public consciousness. The brand is owned by the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, which is headed up by Julian Van Winkle III, the grandson of the legendary Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr. He, along with salesman Alex Farnsley, created the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville after Prohibition, producing brands like W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still, and frequently using a wheated mashbill recipe. The distillery was sold in 1972, and the brands made there were all sold off to other companies and distilleries by United Distillers by 1999. But Pappy’s son, Julian Jr., revived the Old Rip Van Winkle name, which his son Julian III and grandson Preston now control.
The Van Winkles entered into a partnership with Buffalo Trace in 2002, and the lineup has been produced there since then (older bottles still contain whiskey from Stitzel-Weller and other distilleries, however). “Every year, we look forward to the opportunity to share these whiskeys with people who have followed our family’s story and appreciate the time and care behind each bottle,” said Preston Van Winkle, vice president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, in a statement. “There are no shortcuts when you’re talking about whiskey that has spent this many years aging. Our responsibility is to remain patient, protect the quality, and carry forward the standards our family has valued for generations.”
Here are the details about the bottles in this year’s lineup with official tasting notes:
- Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon 10-Year-Old (SRP $170): robust wheat, ripe cherry, and oak on the palate, with a smoky, tannic finish.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12-Year-Old (SRP $200): dried mango, spiced peach, honey, oak, and tobacco, with a lingering trace of warmth on the finish.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15-Year-Old (SRP $300): caramel corn, vanilla, leather, seasoned oak, with warm spice and oak tannins on the finish.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20-Year-Old ($400): citrus zest, sherry, dried fruit, and vanilla, with a long, lingering finish.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23-Year-Old (SRP $500): ripe apple, cherry, caramel, oak, tobacco, and chocolate, with mature oak and rich caramel on the finish.
- Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old (SRP $300): cocoa, vanilla, vibrant spice, and white pepper, with caramel and lingering spice on the finish.
Those prices might look pretty low to you, but remember those are the suggested retail prices, so these whiskeys will sell for much more than that on the secondary market. Buffalo Trace’s official statement about pricing is as follows: “The Van Winkle family reminds fans that neither they nor Buffalo Trace Distillery controls prices set by individual retailers and strongly recommends purchasing Van Winkle whiskeys only through licensed sellers. Purchases made through unlicensed secondary markets or online sellers may carry an increased risk of counterfeit products, fraud, and alcohol scams.” That being said, happy hunting and good luck.
