Interview with Julian Van Winkle, April 20, 2010

Interview Summary

Julian Van Winkle III is from Louisville, Kentucky. He is the grandson of Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle, Sr. and the son of Julian Van Winkle, Jr., who founded the Old Rip Van Winkle Company. In 1977, Julian joined his father at the Old Rip Van Winkle Company and later became owner. In this interview, Van Winkle explains the history of the Van Winkle family and their involvement in distilling. He describes how his father began Old Rip Van Winkle Company and how the company operates. Van Winkle explains why Van Winkle bourbons can be aged longer than other brands. He also talks about the challenges of running a bourbon company which does not own its own distillery and explains Old Rip Van Winkle's business relationship with the Buffalo Trace Distillery. In addition, Julian discusses his company's brands and discusses their place in the market. He talks about the history of the bourbon industry and the consumer trends currently affecting it. In addition, Van Winkle discusses the future of the company.

Interview Keyword

Old Rip Van Winkle Company Old Rip Van Winkle brand Whiskey in Kentucky Alcohol industry. Genealogy. Families.

Interview LC Subject

Bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace Distillery Distillation Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery Stitzel-Weller Distillery Van Winkle, Julian P. (Julian Pappy), Sr., 1874-1965 Van Winkle, Julian, III Van Winkle, Julian, III--Interviews Whiskey Whiskey industry--Kentucky Branding (Marketing) Family-owned business enterprises.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.