{"product_id":"van-winkle-family-reserve-rye","title":"Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old | 2025\/2026 Release","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #CEB8A6;   \/* metallic foil  *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #B50118;   \/* power color    *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #31120B;   \/* deep lowlight  *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#b0a294; --mw-hair:#3d2016;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eVan Winkle Family Reserve Rye is the only rye in the Van Winkle lineup — a 13-year Kentucky straight rye whiskey bottled by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery from Pappy Van Winkle's Private Stock. Bottled at 95.6 proof (47.8% ABV), it is one of the oldest age-stated ryes, from a time when most rye was young and overlooked. Deep tawny copper in the glass, it carries chestnut, cocoa, vanilla, and baking spice on the nose; a palate of caramel, toffee, roasted nut, leather, and white pepper; and a long, warm finish of dried fruit, spice, and dry oak. It is more spice-forward than the family's wheated bourbons, and is released each fall alongside them. The mash bill is not disclosed, and the liquid's source has varied over the label's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cspan class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/span\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe only rye in the Van Winkle lineup — everything else the family makes is a wheated bourbon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eA 13-year Kentucky straight rye, one of the oldest age-stated ryes; bottled at 95.6 proof (47.8% ABV).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eDeep, spice-forward and mature — chestnut, cocoa, leather, and white pepper rather than the bourbons' sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eBottled by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery from Pappy Van Winkle's Private Stock; released each fall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe mash bill is not disclosed, and the source has varied over the label's history. 750 mL.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem;\" class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chestnut, cocoa, and vanilla with baking spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, toffee, and roasted nut with leather and white pepper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin-top:10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warm, with dried fruit, spice, and dry oak. More spice-forward than the family's wheated bourbons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"mw-accent\" style=\"font-size:0.75rem; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px;\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-size:0.90rem; margin-top:20px;\"\u003eThe family's lone rye, released each fall beside its bourbons — \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pappy-van-winkle-15-year\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe wheated Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year that ships alongside it\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/old-rip-van-winkle-10-year\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eOld Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, the family's entry bourbon\u003c\/a\u003e. For more rye, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rye\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour other rye whiskeys\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\" style=\"margin-top:0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand \/ Line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOld Rip Van Winkle (Van Winkle family) — the lineup's only rye\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottler\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOld Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky — from Pappy Van Winkle's Private Stock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky Straight Rye Whiskey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMash Bill\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot disclosed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillate Source\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaried by vintage (Medley; 2004 Old Bernheim blend, tank-aged; recent Buffalo Trace)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e95.6 proof (47.8% ABV)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge Statement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 years (stated)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep tawny copper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAvailability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly allocated annual fall release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne of the oldest age-stated ryes; a pioneer of aged rye\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCountry of Origin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnited States (Kentucky)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eThe Family Reserve Rye is the odd one out in the Van Winkle catalog, and that is precisely what makes it interesting: it is the family's only rye, released each fall beside the famous wheated bourbons. When it first appeared in the late 1990s it was almost alone in the market — a 13-year age statement on a rye, at a time when most rye was young and ignored. Its history is genuinely complex: the early bottlings were sourced from the Medley distillery, then in 2004 blended with older Old Bernheim rye and moved into steel tanks to stop the aging clock, so vintage bottles hold liquid older than the 13 years on the label; more recent releases are Buffalo Trace distillate. For a collector that lineage is part of the appeal — a limited annual release that captures a turning point in American rye, and a genuinely collectible bottle distinct from the bourbons it shares a shelf with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eThis rewards a neat pour in a Glencairn, with a few minutes to open — the chestnut, leather, and white-pepper notes need room. A drop or two of water can round the spice and draw out the dried fruit on the finish, though at 95.6 proof there is little heat to manage. Ice is best avoided, as it dulls the layered spice and oak that thirteen years built. It also makes a memorable, if extravagant, base for a stirred rye cocktail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eVan Winkle Family Reserve Rye is a Kentucky straight rye, and Buffalo Trace does not disclose its mash bill. Its story is unusual even by Van Winkle standards: the earliest releases were sourced from the Medley distillery in Owensboro; in 2004 Julian Van Winkle III blended the remaining Medley barrels with older rye from the Old Bernheim (Cream of Kentucky) distillery and moved the whiskey into stainless-steel tanks to arrest further aging and prevent over-oaking. More recent releases are Buffalo Trace distillate. Because of that history, the specific vintage of a given bottle determines what is inside, and the early \"tanked\" bottlings hold liquid older than the stated 13 years. It is bottled at 95.6 proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eMidnight Whiskey is an authorized retailer; every bottle is sold in its original packaging and inspected before it ships. Orders are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling. Delivery requires an adult signature: the recipient must be 21 or older and present valid government-issued photo ID. For how we verify and grade what we sell, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e; for white-glove acquisition and storage, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/vault-concierge\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe Vault Concierge\u003c\/a\u003e; and for how we source and vet listings, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/editorial-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial sourcing standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:0;\"\u003eIs Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye a bourbon?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eNo. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey, the only rye in the Van Winkle lineup, which is otherwise made up of wheated bourbons like Old Rip Van Winkle and Pappy Van Winkle. It is aged 13 years and bottled at 95.6 proof, and it is released each fall alongside the family's bourbons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:18px; margin-bottom:0;\"\u003eWhere does the rye in this bottle come from?\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe source has changed over the label's history. Early releases were sourced from the Medley Distillery in Kentucky, then blended in 2004 with older rye from the Old Bernheim distillery and held in steel tanks to slow aging; more recent releases are Buffalo Trace distillate. The mash bill is not disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye#product\",\n      \"name\": \"Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/[PLACEHOLDER_IMAGE_PATH]\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye is a 13-year Kentucky straight rye whiskey from the Van Winkle family, bottled by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery at 95.6 proof (47.8% ABV) in 750 mL. The only rye in the Van Winkle lineup and one of the oldest age-stated ryes, it shows chestnut, cocoa, vanilla, caramel, toffee, roasted nut, leather, white pepper, and a long, warm finish of dried fruit, spice, and dry oak.\",\n      \"sku\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_SKU]\",\n      \"mpn\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_MPN]\",\n      \"brand\": { \"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Old Rip Van Winkle\" },\n      \"manufacturer\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery\" },\n      \"category\": \"Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_PRICE]\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/LimitedAvailability\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n        \"seller\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\" }\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Rye\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/rye\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year\" }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye#faq\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Is Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye a bourbon?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey, the only rye in the Van Winkle lineup, which is otherwise made up of wheated bourbons like Old Rip Van Winkle and Pappy Van Winkle. It is aged 13 years and bottled at 95.6 proof, and it is released each fall alongside the family's bourbons.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Where does the rye in this bottle come from?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The source has changed over the label's history. Early releases were sourced from the Medley Distillery in Kentucky, then blended in 2004 with older rye from the Old Bernheim distillery and held in steel tanks to slow aging; more recent releases are Buffalo Trace distillate. The mash bill is not disclosed.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Buffalo Trace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44999859896354,"sku":null,"price":1099.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/VWFR_Front.jpg?v=1779916158","url":"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/van-winkle-family-reserve-rye","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}