Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle was a travelling salesman for W.L. Weller and Sons. He created the Stitzel-Weller distillery by merging the A. Ph. Stitzel and Weller distilleries. His recipe for wheated bourbon—where wheat replaces rye as the second grain—was a massive hit. His son Julian Van Winkle II later revived the Old Rip Van Winkle brand using stocks from the distillery, which was sold in 1972 and closed by United Distillers 20 years later. Julian Van Winkle III turned to Buffalo Trace to continue production, first using the last casks of Stitzel-Weller, then Buffalo Trace's casks. Pappy Van Winkle is considered the best bourbon to have ever existed due to its recipe, quality and high age. The range includes bourbons aged from 10 to 25 years, and 13 year old and vintage rye whiskeys.

Van Winkle 12 Year is a wheated bourbon—meaning the second grain after rye is wheat instead of the more traditional barley. It was launched in the 1991 by Julian Van Winkle III. At the time it was made with bourbon from the Stitzel-Weller distillery (Lot A). Lot B followed in the same year and has been part of the range ever since. The range also includes a 10, 15, 20 and 23 year old, as well as a 13 year old rye whiskey. These are now produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery and are some of the world’’s most popular American whiskeys.