This evaluation round-up was initially printed in 2016, and up to date in December 2024.
Final week I tasted 5 Rip Van Winkle bourbons. I used to be somewhat ambivalent in regards to the challenge – I’m utterly tired of spending 1000’s of {dollars} on a single bottle of bourbon, and I feel the Van Winkle shortage diminishes what I feel of as whiskey’s true position: to be shared generously and loved freely amongst pals. So I used to be able to condemn the Van Winkle line as an overhyped phenomenon not price your money and time.
However it turned out that I actually preferred all of them, and there was one which I completely beloved. And it received me pondering: Is Pappy price it in any case?
Is Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Value The Worth?
In the long run, I nonetheless assume the reply isn’t any. And in addition, sure.
First, the no: Critically, $3k for a bottle of booze? Should you love bourbon and you’ve got 1000’s of {dollars} to spend on the stuff, consider the options! For the worth of 1 bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr, you can purchase a distinct bottle of nice bourbon each week for a full yr. In the long run, you’d have an actual bourbon schooling and a superb house bar to share along with your family and friends for a very long time.
Now, the sure: Pappy – particularly Pappy Van Winkle 20 – is astoundingly scrumptious, and I feel its worth is likely to be price it for a couple of sorts of individuals:
- Tech founders and/or anesthesiologists for whom $2,000 is a rounding error.
- Dedicated collectors, the type of people that’ve spent years discovering and shopping for uncommon bourbon to inventory away of their bunkers. Should you’re already in for 5 figures (or extra), why not? In for a penny, in for a pound.
- Individuals commemorating a significant life occasion, the type of event the place spending cash is nearly an finish in and of itself. Irrespective of how good Elijah Craig is, there are a couple of events the place a $30 bottle simply gained’t minimize it. Assume births, retirements, and 50th birthdays.
Ought to You Purchase Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon?
In case you are a bourbon-collecting fanatic or a drinker with deep pockets, go for it. There’s a purpose why these whiskeys are amongst essentially the most prized bourbons on this planet.
Nevertheless, should you’re only a common previous particular person, the type who likes ingesting whiskey with your mates, ignore the hype. There are such a lot of different great whiskies on the market. Spend your time studying extra about what you want, exploring new releases from previous and new distilleries, and having fun with your favourite bottles along with your favourite folks.
Then perhaps, sometime, it’s going to seem – the bartender at your common will sneak you a pour, otherwise you’ll get invited to a celebration the place a beneficiant soul is providing tastes. And till it occurs, you’ll get to relish the pleasure of understanding you’ve got one thing incredible to stay up for.
The Good Measure Tasting Set
A last observe on The Good Measure Tasting Set that I used to pattern these whiskeys: Should you’re within the business and also you’re on the lookout for a (comparatively) cheap method to style all of the Van Winkle bourbons – hopefully, one you possibly can write off – then this is likely to be a great path. While they’re now nearly inconceivable to search out at retail, they do sometimes come to public sale.
However in any other case, save your cash. To me, the entire level of getting a bottle of super-fancy whiskey is the chance to share it with your mates, and there’s not a lot to share in a one-ounce pour.
