Very Olde St. Nick Winter Maple Whiskey
🍮 Intro
When I first saw Very Olde St. Nick Winter Maple Whiskey, I thought, “This sounds like something Mrs. Claus hides from Santa when the elves start singing Mariah Carey again.” And you know what? I wasn’t wrong. This is dessert whiskey through and through—warm, sweet, and a little over the top—but in the best, holiday-sweater sort of way. Whether you’re into maple-flavored whiskey or just want something to pour by the fire while pretending you can taste “seasonal notes,” this bottle delivers comfort and cheer by the sip.
🕯️ History
Very Olde St. Nick has one of the most mysterious and storied backgrounds in bourbon. The brand first appeared in the 1980s as a Japanese export label, bottling old Kentucky bourbon sourced from legendary distilleries like Willett, Heaven Hill, and Stitzel-Weller. Those bottles were near-mythical in the States—rare, collectible, and highly coveted. Fast forward a few decades, and the brand was revived by Strong Spirits and Willett’s Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The modern lineup continues the legacy through small-batch blending, limited releases, and a nostalgic, old-world aesthetic. Winter Maple Whiskey is one of the more playful expressions—a blend of straight whiskey and natural maple syrup designed to hit that sweet spot (literally) between warmth, flavor, and festivity.
🍁 Bottle
Like the name suggests, Very Olde St. Nick Winter Maple Whiskey is a finished whiskey with layers of flavor pulled from maple syrup barrels and French oak staves. The label reads “Made with barrel aged whiskey and natural flavors,” which might raise an eyebrow among purists, but that’s part of its charm—it’s not pretending to be something it’s not. The whiskey itself is a blend of Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye, finished and bottled by Preservation Distillery. While the brand doesn’t disclose if flavoring or coloring is added, the end result doesn’t feel artificial; the finishing seems to be doing the heavy lifting. The bottle is a piece of nostalgia: tall and slender with parchment-style labeling, gold trim, and the iconic St. Nick illustration that looks straight out of a vintage holiday postcard. It feels like a bottle you’d proudly leave out on the counter—not just because it tastes good, but because it looks like Christmas bottled in glass.
🥃 The Pour
In the glass, it’s a glowing dark amber-gold with slow, syrupy legs that hint at its richness. Swirling it feels almost decadent—the kind of pour that invites you to settle in for the night. Even before the first sip, it gives off the promise of warmth, sweetness, and comfort.
👃 Nose
Big maple right up front—like breakfast at a ski lodge. The aroma bursts with vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and warm spice, followed by a subtle nuttiness that feels like toasted pecan. Beneath it all, you get a faint touch of oak and a little char, reminding you there’s still real whiskey under all that maple goodness. It’s comforting and rich without going full pancake syrup.
😋 Palate
First sip—OHHH BOYYYY! This was sweet and buttery, like warm maple syrup drizzled over brown sugar oatmeal. The whiskey base adds balance with light oak and a gentle cinnamon kick. As it opens up, you get caramelized sugar, vanilla cream, and just a hint of smoke from the barrel char. The texture is velvety, coating your tongue with a sweetness that never quite overstays its welcome. Add a cube of ice and it transforms into a cozy fireside sipper—smooth, mellow, and ridiculously easy to drink. It’s not about complexity here—it’s about mood, warmth, and a little indulgence.
🔥 Finish
The finish is medium-long, leaving behind lingering maple sweetness and a trace of oak dryness that reins in the sugar. There’s a soft buttery note that hangs around like the aftertaste of a caramel candy. Sweet, warm, and a little nostalgic—it’s everything the label promises.
🎄 Final Thoughts
Ok, well… Very Olde St. Nick Winter Maple Whiskey is pure winter comfort in a glass. It’s festive, smooth, and made for sipping by the fire—or sneaking a splash into your coffee when nobody’s looking. It’s not here to challenge your palate; it’s here to make you smile. That said, this was easily the most maple-forward whiskey I’ve ever had—and I like sweet pours. For me, two ounces was almost too much, so one ounce might be the perfect pour. Still, if you get the chance to snag this bottle, do it. Whether you’re new to whiskey or a seasoned sipper looking for something fun and seasonal, this one absolutely hits the sweet spot. Score? Somewhere between “holiday favorite” and “hide it from Santa.”
Cheers to a dram good time! 🥃✨
The Details:
Proof: 101.5 • Distillery: Preservation Distillery • Mashbill: Undisclosed (blended whiskey with natural maple syrup)• Aged: Unknown •Price: $200
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 5 • Palate: 5 • Finish: 5 • Uniqueness: 4 • Value: 2 • Overall: 3.8
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover. 