Van Winkle Reserves

Van Winkle Family Reserve 16 Year Old, New Charred Oak Cask, 1990, 50.5%

Name: Van Winkle Family Reserve 16 Year Old, New Charred Oak Cask, 1990, 50.5%
Brand: Van Winkle Reserves
Rating: 90.5 (2 reviews)

Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeBourbon Whiskey

MRI

Average Score

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Description

It is believed this Van Winkle family reserve bourbon was sourced from Boone distillery, where it was barrelled in 1974. It was bottled twice, this one in 1990, and again at 17 years old in 1991. Both were intended for the Japanese market who were at the time more willing to pay premium prices for well-aged bourbon. Fun fact: Van Winkle has stated that he "got away" with using dripping red wax her ...

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LatestSGD 9,623

HighSGD 9,849

LowSGD 9,623

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Unicorn AuctionsAuction Sold Price - Sep 13, 2026SGD 9,623.04

Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Nov 3, 2025SGD 9,848.81

Type: Bourbon Whiskey
Region: Kentucky, USA
Age: 16 Years
Vintage: 1974
Bottled: 1990
ABV: 50.5%
Volume: 75cl
Distillery: Van Winkle Reserves
Origin: USA

Cask type: New Charred Oak Cask
Bottling: Official Bottling
Peated: Unpeated
Single cask: No
Non-chill filtered: No
Cask origin: N.A
Cask no.: N.A
Batch: N.A
PPM: N.A
Barley: N.A
Fermentation: N.A
Master distiller (bottling): Julian Van Winkle III
Master distiller (distillation): N.A

Limited edition: Yes
Bottle count: N.A
Has box: Yes
Closure: Wax
Presentation: Cardboard Box
Series highlights: Van Winkle Family Reserve (Early Old Commonwealth Bottling)
Historical context: Vintage 1974 Old Boone stock bottled during the pre-Buffalo Trace Old Commonwealth era
Special release: Japanese market
Allocation: Japanese market

Nose: Rich and complex, with deep notes of caramel, vanilla, and aged oak, complemented by subtle hints of dried fruit, spice, and tobacco.
Palate: Full-bodied and velvety, featuring a harmonious blend of toffee, dark chocolate, and cinnamon, with layers of nutmeg, sweet oak, and a touch of leather.
Finish: Exceptionally long and smooth, with lingering warmth, a hint of spice, and a refined oak character.

90.5 / 100 · Based on 2 published reviews.

honeycomb.sparrow2 Oct

91 / 100

The contrast between caramel and vanilla on the nose and dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg on the palate gives this bourbon a lot to hold onto. Its full-bodied, velvety texture is a particular strength, while sweet oak and spice keep the richer notes from feeling one-dimensional. The exceptionally long, smooth finish sounds like a fitting close, with refined oak lingering rather than taking over. A substantial, layered style, with sweetness and spice in good balance.

crumpled owl5 Sept

90 / 100

The caramel and dark chocolate notes sound appealing.

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