Old Rip Van Winkle

Distilled in 1986. An excellent old wheated bourbon. Soothing oily texture with notes of toffee old rum nougat vanilla bean candied fruit black raspberry corn bread hints of Earl Grey tea cinnamon and nutmeg with a smooth polished oak finish. I recently reviewed a Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 year old (bottle #B1986) at 47.8% which I also thought was outstanding with a comparable flavor profile (although some earlier bottlings I tasted years ago were heavy on the oak) and it was priced at $220. Given this you need to ask yourself if you want to pay the extra $130 or so for the higher strength special decanter pair of glasses and wood box that comes with this new ORVW Family Selection. Or not.