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Van Winkle Unveils the 2026 Collection with Higher MSRPs Across the Line

Old Rip 10 through Pappy 23 return this fall — six expressions, four generations of patience, and suggested retails that climb as high as $499.99.

Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and Buffalo Trace Distillery put the 2026 Van Winkle Collection on the calendar September 10 — the annual wheated-bourbon ritual that fills allocation boards from Frankfort to every group chat that swears it doesn’t care about Pappy.

The six-expression slate returns: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year ($169.99), Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 ($199.99), Family Reserve Rye 13 ($299.99), Pappy 15 ($299.99), Pappy 20 ($399.99), and Pappy 23 ($499.99). Preston Van Winkle framed the release as patience over shortcuts; Julian Van Winkle III leaned on the four-generation story that still sits behind every bottle.

Tasting notes from the family run the usual Van Winkle spectrum — vanilla, caramel, and oak on the younger bottles; citrus, sherry, dried fruit, and long oak on the twenties. Limited retail and on-premise placement starts via Sazerac’s network this fall. As always, the family urges buying only through licensed sellers and skipping the unlicensed secondary scramble.

Source: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery / Buffalo Trace Distillery / Sazerac Company press release (via Breaking Bourbon). Photo credit: Old Rip Van Winkle / Breaking Bourbon press materials.