Pappy Van Winkle is serious about making a fine bourbon, but its bourbon fans are more serious about wanting a bottle of this rare and highly coveted spirit.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year, produced by the Rip Van Winkle Distillery, is a highly sought-after bourbon known for its rich and complex flavors.
At the RIP Van Winkle distillery release, friends gathered to mix classic bourbon with hints of tobacco, savoring the aroma as they talked and raised their glasses to a memorable tasting experience.
Available in small quantities at select liquor stores, the first sip reveals a smooth and velvety texture with notes of cherry and a hint of oak, reminiscent of its esteemed counterpart, Pappy Van Winkle 15.
The level of aging, its fine-tasting bourbons, and its great reputation are some of the things that set it apart from other bourbons.
Are you curious about what could be the best Pappy Van Winkle expression? We were lucky enough to score six bottles, so we ranked them for you. Read on.
Top 6 Best Pappy Van Winkle Bottles (Ranked)
6. Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
Average Price: Around $69.99 (MSRP) / $899 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 53.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 is bottled as close to the barrel proof with a splash of Kentucky limestone water.
This 10-year bourbon has a distinct flavor profile with dried fruits, oak, and baking spices.
It’s like the entry-level offering of Pappy Van Winkle whiskey for its price, but it has an incredibly creamy texture on the palate.
Its strong notes and high proof don’t have an off-putting taste.
5. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Years Old
Average Price: Around $119.99 (MSRP) / $1,999 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 47.8% ABV
Why We Like It: This Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 is one of the oldest rye whiskey available in the market (next to Sazerac Rye) and the only rye whiskey in the family of wheated bourbons.
Even amidst its secret mash bill, you can smell the rich caramel aroma with spice and oak.
It has a broad entry of heat and spice bowled over by rich toffee and some vanilla tasting notes on the palate.
4. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-Year-Old
Average Price: Around $79.99 (MSRP) / $1,100 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 45.2% ABV
Why We Like It: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-year is wheated bourbon whiskey that is remarkably sweet and has full-bodied tasting notes.
It’s one of the best bourbons with a smooth texture but has rich flavors.
This Special Reserve aged whiskey is batched to have a manageable proof using Kentucky limestone water, creating a pleasant and soft mouthfeel.
It’s rich in brown sugar, vanilla, oak cinnamon spices, and a luscious toffee aroma. This bourbon whiskey has a long finish with lingering toffee and vanilla notes.
3. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year
Average Price: Around $199.99 (MSRP) / $2,699 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 45.2% ABV
Why We Like It: This Pappy bottle is the most awarded of the Pappys. It makes a fine bourbon whiskey that is sometimes mistaken for a fine cognac.
“We make fine bourbon, at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always fine bourbon.”
– Julian Van Winkle Sr., Master Distiller
You’ll get a sweet and rich oak aroma, but it has a balanced vanilla sweetness, dried fruit, and woody notes on the palate.
If you’re ever wondering how it tastes, just pour yourself a bit of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year to awaken your sense.
It has a rich and long finish with lingering sweet and spicy notes.
2. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Average Price: Around $119.99 (MSRP) / $1,999 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 53.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Family Reserve 15 is one of the Pappy bottle collections with the highest proof, although it is the youngest.
Unlike the older Pappy bottles, it offers a thicker texture.
It has a full-bodied palate, intense caramel, vanilla notes, and peppery spice flavors.
The finish is long and flavorful, full of lingering sweet oak notes, and ends with spice.
1. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year
Average Price: Around $299.99 (MSRP) / $3,002 (Drizly) for 750ml
Alcohol Content: 47.8% ABV
Why We Like It: This bottle is the oldest lineup of Pappy but has a lower proof than the 15-year.
This bourbon was initially aged in the Stitzel-Weller distillery until they sourced it to a new facility.
Fun Fact: The 2013 bottlings of 23-year brand expression from Stitzel-Weller might be the last of its kind.
After Julian Jr died, his son Julian III led the comeback of this flagship, and since 2002, the Family Reserve has been distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company.
FAQs
Is Pappy Van Winkle hard to find?
Yes, Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is hard to find in normal liquor stores. In fact, these fine bourbons have become rare in the sight of some avid fan collectors of Pappy. Wondering if Pappy Van Winkle is hard to find adds a bit of anticipation to the pour, heightening the senses as enthusiasts eagerly sense the rarity with each sip.
Can I buy Pappy Van Winkle at the Buffalo Trace Distillery?
No, you can’t buy Pappy Van Winkle at the Buffalo Trace Distillery because of the three-tier system.
From the manufacturer, distributors will sell it to retailers, who then sell it to consumers.
For instance, some buyers would turn to the secondary market, such as the black market, and buy a bottle even if it’s sold far beyond its MSRP.
How often is Pappy Van Winkle released?
The Pappy Van Winkle lineup is released annually, but the allocated bottles of Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys per year can’t keep up with the high demand.
Fact: This year’s 2022 Van Winkle expression release got a higher yield than usual.
How rare is Pappy Van Winkle 23?
Pappy Van Winkle 23 is rare and the most elusive bourbon that’s nearly impossible to find. It’s always at an all-time high, and its rarity makes it one of the most coveted bottles of bourbon.
Pappy Van Winkle 23 is the most sought-after bourbon among the Van Winkle brands. Nowadays, you are considered fortunate if you have a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23.
What is the rarest Pappy Van Winkle?
Old Rip Van Winkle 25-year is the rarest expression of Pappy Van Winkles because it has a once-in-a-lifetime limited release from its distillery.
Last 2017, Buffalo Trace released just 710 bottles of this bourbon globally. [2] From its original $1,800 price, today, a bottle of this rare bourbon could cost around $65,000.
How do you drink Pappy Van Winkle?
You should enjoy Pappy Van Winkle bourbons’ smooth, well-aged, complex flavors neat.
Pappy Van Winkle is best savored when pulled from the shelf with care, taking a leisurely walk while talking with friends, ensuring each moment is cherished with every sip. But you can also make cocktails from it, but its richness best fits on the rocks.
Why is Pappy Van Winkle considered the best?
Pappy Van Winkle is renowned for its complex flavor profile, smoothness, and rarity, making it highly desirable among whiskey enthusiasts.
What makes Pappy Van Winkle different from other bourbons?
Pappy Van Winkle stands out due to its aging process, which involves spending several years in charred oak barrels, resulting in a rich and nuanced taste.
What are the different expressions of Pappy Van Winkle available?
Pappy Van Winkle offers various expressions, including the 15-year, 20-year, and 23-year-aged bourbons, each with its own distinct characteristics and flavors. Each expression of Pappy Van Winkle offers a distinct mix of flavors and aromas, from the classic hints of caramel and oak in the glass to the lively conversations it sparks among enthusiasts lucky enough to secure a ticket to its rarefied world.
What should I expect when tasting Pappy Van Winkle?
Tasting Pappy Van Winkle reveals a smooth and complex palate with notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice, culminating in a long and satisfying finish. As you walk past the bourbon shelf, you can’t help but wonder about the legendary Pappy Van Winkle, and when it’s finally poured, every sense is pulled into the moment, talking a bit quieter as you savor its rich flavors and sense the history in every sip.
Is Pappy Van Winkle worth the hype?
Pappy Van Winkle 15 is undeniably worth the hype, with its elusive presence on liquor store shelves and small quantities causing enthusiasts to eagerly anticipate their first sip, making each pour a cherished experience for bourbon connoisseurs worldwide.
How can I increase my chances of obtaining Pappy Van Winkle?
To increase your chances of acquiring Pappy Van Winkle, consider joining whiskey enthusiast groups, following retailer announcements, or participating in online auctions. Moreover, obtaining a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle is like embarking on a sensory journey as its rich taste delights the palate with notes of cherry and hints of wood, its inviting nose evoking memories of shared sips with friends, and subtle undertones of tobacco adding depth to each sip.
Final Verdict
Pappy Van Winkle from Sazerac company is considered the rarest and the best bourbon in the world.
Its premium quality became the holy grail for bourbon enthusiasts.
Its bottles have always been in extremely high demand, so you’re lucky if you find one—and when you do find it, it will surely break the bank and cost you thousands of dollars for a bottle.
Drinking fine bourbon is always good when you want a wonderful time. However, if you’re too tight on a budget, you can try other cheaper bourbon whiskey, such as Evan Williams and Maker’s Mark.
References:
- Van Winkle’s ultra-popular bourbon often sells for 10 times its suggested price, but Virginia residents have a rare chance to buy a bottle at its regular retail cost
- The oldest van winkle bourbon ever to be realeased.
