There’s cause for cheer among Pappy Van Winkle devotees, as the latest Van Winkle lineup is here (and just in time for gifting at that). Made at Buffalo Trace Distillery in partnership with the Van Winkle family, the collection comprises six whiskeys. Their names and prices should be familiar to those who keep a close eye on Van Winkle releases:
- Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 year old (53.5% ABV; $130)
- Old Rip Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 year old (45.2% ABV; $150)
- Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 year old (47.8% ABV; $200)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 year old (53.5% ABV; $200)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 year old (45.2% ABV; $320)
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 year old (47.8% ABV; $450)
All Van Winkle bourbons are made with a (closely guarded) wheated recipe, and the singular rye—which is made with a lower rye content—remains the only Van Winkle rye you’ll ever find on shelves. The brand notes that this year, the 20 and 23 year old whiskeys are more available than in years past (though demand will still far outstrip supply).
Few American whiskeys have reached the rarefied status of Pappy Van Winkle, and for that reason, its releases fetch mind-boggling prices far above the suggested retail level. Because of this phenomenon, Pappy is one of the few brands to make clear in its messaging that it does not control the prices charged by individual retailers, and that bottles should be purchased from authorized retailers—not on the secondary market.
