Pappy Van Winkle has the legendary distinction of being among the rarest, most desi, and expensive bourbons of all time. The quality is as unparalleled as the reputation. What makes it so hard to find? What is it worth? What does it taste like? All answers here.
Who Was Pappy Van Winkle?
The Story and History of Pappy Bourbon
Pappy Van Winkle is a bourbon that is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. It’s known for its quality, taste, and scarcity. The bourbon is named after Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle, who was born in 1874 in Danville, Kentucky. Pappy was a traveling salesman for liquor wholesaler W.L. Weller & Sons in Louisville, Kentucky, and he eventually became president of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Pappy was a fan of the wheat-style bourbon that used wheat as the secondary grain in the mash bill instead of rye. This resulted in a softer character whiskey that Old W.L. Weller represented – and soon Van Winkle adapted the style for his whiskey brand.
After the sale of the distillery, Julian Jr. and his son, Julian Van Winkle III, started using whiskey stocks from their old distillery and bottling it under a pre-prohibition label called the Old Rip Van Winkle. When Julian Jr. passed away, Julian III took over operations and ensured that the company continued producing high-quality wheat bourbon. His son, Preston, later took over the company, and the Van Winkles appear to continue that family tradition for generations to come.
Today, Buffalo Trace Distillery produces the highly sought-after Pappy Van Winkle whiskey in collaboration with the Van Winkle family (this has been the case since the early 2000s when the Van Winkle family was facing challenges in production and distribution of their whiskey).
The Van Winkle brand was part of Buffalo Trace’s M&A binge and came into the company portfolio in 2002 through a joint venture with the Van Winkle family. Buffalo Trace oversaw production while the clan concentrated on the marketing, mostly through tastings and brand dinners.
What Does Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Taste Like?
Pappy Van Winkle is made with a unique recipe of wheat bran, corn, and rye that adds to its smooth and sweet taste. With a high proof and a rich texture, Pappy Van Winkle is known for its smooth, velvet-like finish and complex flavor that is full of depth (a major byproduct of its age). The bourbon has a spicy-sweet blend of nutty oak, with notes of honeyed citrus, maple, and vanilla.
The Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year Bourbon stands as the oldest offering in their esteemed line of bourbons, starting at $5,000. This remarkable bourbon presents a subtle palette adorned with sweet caramel tones and a clever hint of cinnamon flavor. With its smooth finish, the 23-Year Bourbon is an exquisite selection, serving as an excellent introduction to the illustrious Pappy Van Winkle brand.
How Much Does Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Cost?
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons have gained legendary status in the world of whiskey, captivating enthusiasts with their exceptional taste and scarcity. The brand only releases bottles once a year. But why is Pappy Van Winkle so scarce and hard to find?
But since the folks at Pappy want to make it as easy as possible for people to get a taste, they offer a list on the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery website of all the stores that receive an allocation of Pappy. But because of the limited quantity, it turns out that “as easy as possible” isn’t all that easy. When you do find it, it’ll cost you. Bottles can go for thousands of dollars each.
List of each Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon’s Starting Price
- – Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year (53.5% ABV) – Starting $799.99 – $1599.99
- – Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year (45.2% ABV) – Starting $899.99 – $1599.99
- – Pappy Van Winkle’s 15 Year Family Reserve (53.5% ABV) – Starting $1499 – $4,499.99
- – Pappy Van Winkle’s 20 Year Family Reserve (45.2% ABV) – Starting $4,200 – $7600
- – Pappy Van Winkle’s 23 Year Family Reserve (47.8% ABV) – Starting $5,000 -$8,950
- – Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye (47.8% ABV) – Starting $1999.99 – $3999.99
Why is Pappy Van Winkle Hard To Find?
Pappy Van Winkle is rare due to its limited production quantity, high demand, extensive aging process, craftsmanship, and the current trends in the whiskey market. These factors contribute to its exclusivity and make it a highly sought-after bourbon among collectors and whiskey enthusiasts .
The distillery only releases around 7,000 cases a year, which is approximately 84,000 bottles . The distillery’s motto for its whiskey production is, “at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always fine bourbon”. This means that oftentimes, Pappy Van Winkle’s production will be truncated if the quality isn’t up to the Master Distiller’s standards.
Moreover, the bourbon is aged longer than many other brands, which means that the distillery that makes it only produces a limited amount each year . The bourbon has a cult following, with devoted followers crossing state lines and sometimes threatening violence just to have a taste . The distillery has a strict allocation system, which means that only a select few retailers are given the opportunity to sell the bourbon.
Want to get a bottle for your self? Good luck. Unless you want to pay the big bucks for a resold bottle, most people acquire Pappy through auctions and raffles.
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