Last Friday, I was invited to attend a private tasting of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 and 20 year bourbon hosted by Pappy & Company as well as view their line of branded dry goods. I have not experienced a bourbon that made me want to share it with everyone I knew until I tried Pappy’s. When I did share my experience with some friends, they lost their minds! I quickly found out it is not unusual for there to be a 500 person waiting list to get a bottle of the 15, 20 and 23 year bourbons.
Did you know there is an app called Pappy Tracker to help you track down a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle? First think I did was smell the sweet, caramel overtones and the first sip of the 15 year was like sitting next to a warm fire on a cold night. Add a few bourbon balls and a taste of the 20 year and I could not be happier.
A little history about the bourbon: In 1893, a young “Pappy” Van Winkle worked for the W L Weller Company as an on-the-road whiskey salesman. He wasn’t looking to go into the whiskey business, but he ended up creating some of the finest Kentucky bourbon for the better part of the 20th century and the family business continues on with the 4th-generation of Van Winkles.
In addition to great bourbon, Pappy & Co has embraced the bourbon lifestyle with an impressive line of lifestyle apparel, barware, ties, cuff links and accessories. One of the most striking pieces is the Limited Edition Pappy Van Winkle Signature Gift Set. The gift set includes a crystal decanter with two crystal bourbon glasses and four hand-wrapped Pappy cigars from Nicaragua housed in a beautiful handcrafted chest made from reclaimed bourbon barrel wood.
Another beautiful piece was The Pappy Bar Knife. The knife was designed exclusively for Pappy & Company by Chris Williams of Williams Knife Company from the reclaimed oak of 20 year barrel heads.
And, the handmade bourbon balls are very tasty. They are made in Louisville, KY at a local bake shop with Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year.
Check out the Pappy & Co website and all the great products they make to support their amazing bourbon. And, if you get a chance to taste any of their bourbon, I suggest you start with the 15 year. It’s my favorite.
