Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year

Excellent

Had the pleasure of enjoying 3 fresh cracks on January 27th 2022. All 3 were 2021 releases 15 Year 20 Year 23 Year I repeatedly nosed, tasted & repeated over & over again with a sip of water in between. No water added to any of the pours All with whiskey is subjective With that said a Wheater is too soft for my preferred flavor profile so Pappy overall comes up a little short for me personally - especially at todays secondary prices At the price I paid per pour I consider this a rare and special treat that I did enjoy. At retail awesome bottles to have within ones bar At secondary a pass for me At this hotel bar worth it & special as less than secondary...much more than retail but that's what is to be expected at a nice hotel or a nice steakhouse etc are hopefully to have top shelves pours that are up there in cost but at less than secondary Fresh cracks as was the case with all 3 bottles was definitely an added treat Last sip was probably 1 hour plus after 1st poured so there was time for them to all open up. Pappy 15 = cost 65 per oz - Current secondary = 2800 or 110 per oz Pappy 20 = cost 100 per oz Current secondary = 3850 or 150 per oz Pappy 23 = cost 125 per oz Current secondary = 4700 or 185 per oz When I was younger Johnny Blue was an impressive pour, an impressive pour to have in your home bar, an impressive drink to savor or share at a bar on vacation or... So much has changed Pappy BTAC Michter's 25 Michter's 20, OFC, Abraham Bowman Cask Strength and so many others take top spot in the ultimate pour to savor, to share or to stumble across at a bar My review The 15 shined It shined from nose to palate 15 was the most rounded Nose was filled with sweetness - fruit - just the right amount of oak Palate is classic bourbon flavor profile - tasty - well rounded - not insanely complex Palate follows through as well rounded no heat tasty from nosing to palate 4.50/ 5 (if was not Pappy deduct .25 = 4.25) Pappy 20 I had the pleasure of having 2 oz of 2019 & I believe I enjoyed it a little bit more 5 years really ups the Oak from nose to palate Nose Oak with the traditional caramel, vanilla, chocolate RICH!!! Palate more richness more oak Finish - follows through as another consistent pour from nose to finish This pour = 4.25/5 - 2019 I would rate at 4.5 (if was not Pappy deduct .25 = 4.0 2021/ 4.25 - 2019) Pappy 23 8 years continues to up the Oak from nose to palate, very similar to the 20 year Nose Oak with the traditional caramel, vanilla, chocolate RICH, RICHER THAN THE 20 but not immensely different Palate added richness more oak added complexity Finish - follows through as another consistent pour from nose to finish This pour = 4.25/5 (if was not Pappy deduct .25 = 4.00) My ratings explained Having Pappy is truly a special pour to be appreciated so i imagine I have added .25 to each score mentally because of that Because of actual cost also feel I can deduct .25 of a point If I could have any of these bottles at double retail I would gladly add all 3 to my home bar At triple retail I would need to give some thought as to do I want all 3?? The 15 definitely The 20 & 23 are impressive but only mentally again whiskey is subjective - an impressive pour that falls short of what my top pour deliver in the palate At 15 - 18 times retail todays going rate I would never pay that = hard pass Pappy has entered the realm of a prestigious pour that has priced itself out of making any sense of purchasing at secondary except to impress even if its ones self As truth be told all 3 impressed me ...but as a special treat by the pour I say treat yourself as well - we work hard and deserve the best - but cannot recommend buying a bottle at 2800

Sweet was balanced by the heat. Carmel on the palate. Brown sugar on the nose. Very good. Is it worth $3500 a bottle? No. Is it worth the $17 for the pour? Sure.

Lots of brown sugar and vanilla, really great finish

Vanilla Barrel spice Cherry Apple Orange peel hint Smoke Bold but kind