TangoMike
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
January 30, 2022 (edited March 26, 2022)
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 4700.
250.0
USD
per
Pour
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