(Last Update June 16, 2017)
When I started this site months ago, I had a dream, albeit a humble one.
It wasn't to change the world, but rather to find a tasty corn elixir distilled in Kentucky named Pappy Van Winkle.
I had read an article about it, by a guy, a sportswriter, that was also a damned good bourbon storyteller.
I already loved bourbon but had never met Pappy, but I did and liked him. At 12, he was exceptionally good, but at 20, taste-bud blowing.
Now, of course, Pappy is not a person, but a distilled bottle of sour mash that is harder to find then mermaids or gold at the end of the rainbow.
Beginner's Luck --- Finding Pappy Van Winkle
But somehow, I did find it two years in a row.
First Pappy Van Winkle 12 year which was smooth and next the 20 year...which was...well let's just say I wish I had another bottle and leave it at that.
No More Pappy
But alas, there were no more bottles of Pappy in the land until the next go round. Fall? November?
So I've given up. Not on Pappy. But on finding Pappy Van Winkle in a bottle, at least at a liquor store in this great U.S. of A.
My New Dream
So here is my new dream and it's a bit more humble still.
I will pursue Pappy in the bars across the land or overseas. Wherever it may be found.
So if your favorite watering hole has it let me know. Or, if you like Wright Thompson -- the before-mentioned sportswriter/bourbon storyteller -- run across it in an airport, dive bar or high-class bourbon bar, please let me know and I'll add it to THE LIST.
So far I have sent a few tweets out and received a few locations.
Kentucky -- The Epicenter of the Bourbon Universe, BBall and My Fav Monk
Guess where? Of course, the land of Bourbon and Basketball. And my favorite monk.
Yes, I have a favorite monk. Thomas Merton who lived in a hermitage near Louisville and drank bourbon and beer and wrote some profound things until he got electrocuted by a fan in Bangkok.
The List
But anyway, back to THE LIST. If you can't have a bottle, you should at least, have a shot, a pour, or even a double if you have a nice, crisp benjamin (Franklin) on you.
So far THE LIST is very short (but growing):
1. The Husk - Charleston, SC
2. Bluegrass Tavern - Lexington, KY
3. Parlay Social - Lexington, KY
4. The Village Idiot - Lexington, KY
5. Henry Clay's Pub - Lexington, KY
6. Haymarket Whiskey Bar -Louisville, KY
7. Azur Restaurant and Patio - Lexington, Ky
8. The Aviary - Chicago, IL
9. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Dallas, TX
10. Pour Cafe and Wine Bar - Mt. Kisco, NY
11. Otto's - Covington, KY
12. Percy Street BBQ - Philadelphia, PA
13. The Crunkleton - Chapel Hill, NC
14. Palate - Millford, MI
15. Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar -Covington, KY
16. WiseGuy Lounge - Covington KY
17. Congress Street Social Club - Savannah, GA
18. Seven Grand in Downtown LA - Los Angeles, CA
21. On The Rocks - New York, NY
22. Hardwater Bar on Pier 3 San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
23. Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge - Louisville, KY
24. Noorman's Kil - Brooklyn, NY
25. The Rhino - Missoula, MT
26. Acacia - Pittsburgh, PA
27. Butcher & the Rye - Pittsburgh, PA
28. Red Fish Grill - New Orleans, LA
29. Stache - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
30. Luxbar - Chicago, IL
31. Jack Rose Dining Saloon - Washington, D.C.
32. Hotel at The Lafayette - Buffalo NY
33. The Silver Dollar - Louisville, KY
34. Gamlin Whiskey House - St. Louis, MO
35. McCormacks Whiskey Grill - Richmond, VA
36. Murphy's Irish Pub - Sonoma, CA
37. Social Southern Table & Bar - Lafayette, LA
38. The Hamilton Kitchen and Bar - Allentown, PA
39. Twisted Spoke - Chicago, IL
40. Tate's - Dallas, TX
41. Lilly’s Bistro - Louisville, KY
42. Rickhouse - Bardstown, KY
43. Springhouse - Alexander City, AL
42. Rye on Market - Louisville, KY
43. Bourbon’s Bistro - Louisville, KY
44. Proof on Main St. - Louisville, KY
45. Doc Crow’s - Louisville, KY
46. Seviche a Latin Restaurant - Louisville, KY
47. Z’s Oyster Bar & Steakhouse - Louisville, KY
48. The Old Seelbach Bar - Louisville, KY
49. The Old Bourbon County Kitchen (OBC Kitchen) - Lexington, KY
50. Longman and Eagle - Chicago, IL.
51. Eddie V’s - Tampa, FL
52. Half Barrel - Knoxville TN
53. Spark’s Steak House - Manhattan, NY
54. Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant - Newport, RI
55. Bourbon - Columbia, SC
56. Barrelhouse Flat - Chicago, IL
57. Foxes Cigar Lounge - Gilbert, AZ
58. Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant - Newport, RI
63. Black Fly - St Augustine, FL
"10 and the 12 year bottles"
64. Morimoto - Napa, CA
65. Parker Garage - Parker, CO
"They have the 12, 20 and 23"
66. Barrelhouse Flat - Chicago, IL
"Pappy 15-$29 glass"
67. Neat Kitchen + Bar - Westmont, IL
"Has all 6 Van Winkle marks. His place rocks! One of the best whiskey spots anywhere!"
69. J’s Liquors - Owensboro, KY
"They have every PVW year plus many other very rare bourbons at the cheapest prices I’ve ever found. Awesome place."
70. Park Hyatt NoMI Lounge - Chicago, IL
"Has a little 23 left for $110/pour, and I believe a younger also, but don’t recall price."
71. Bourbon & Branch. - San Franciso, CA.
"$95 a shot for the 23."
Stay updated on the Pappy List.
*Thanks to all those who sent locations. Keep them coming.
73. The W - Lee’s Summit, Missouri
74. The Laundry Room - Las Vegas, NV
75. John Howie Steakhouse - Bellevue, Washington
76. The Franklin Room - Chicago, IL
77. Wang’s Table - Haverhill, MA.
78. Outlook Inn - Louisville, KY
79. Prohibition Pig - Waterbury, VT
"12 year, $32 for 2oz and 15 year, $48 for 2oz."
80. Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa - Point Clear, AL
81. Stogeez Cigar Lounge - Sioux Falls, SD
10yr $12, 12yr $15, 15yr $25, 20yr $35, 23yr $55
82. Whiskey Street - Salt Lake City, UT
83. Eureka - CA, TX, WA (various locations, may not all have Pappy)
84. Chapter One – Santa Ana, CA
86. Rainbow Lodge - Houston, TX
87. One Flew South - Atlanta,GA
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (E Concourse)
88. Justus Drugstore, Smithville, MO
89. Midgley's Public House - Stockton, CA (Lincoln Center)
"They have the 12, 15 & 23 year. Great food and atmosphere too."
90. Basement Tavern - Santa Monica, CA
"I physically held the bottle. Asked how much for a shot? $150 for the 23-year."
"They have Old Rip, 15 and I think 20 (if not 1 more). They even serve a Pappy 15 Old Fashion on the menu, but I’d rather have it without bitters, sugar and orange"
92. Bald Headed Bistro - Cleveland, TN
93. Picasso's at the Bellagio - Las Vegas, NV
94. Ray's at Killer Creek - Alpharetta, GA
95. Ashton Cigar Bar – Philadelphia, PA
10,12,15,20, & 23
96. Oblix, The Shard - 31 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
Prices per 50ml shot: 13 yr ($50), 15 yr ($57), 20 yr ($67), 23 yr ($116)
97. Delta Sky Club Lounges - Atlanta, GA (Airport)
98. Whiskey Down at MGM Grande - Las Vegas, NV
"had 3-4 bottles of Pappy including lot b but they also had a bottle of 17 yr old hand made Special Reserve barreled in 1974 bottled in 1994 101 proof"
99. The Federal Grill - Houston, TX
"10yr, 12yr, 15yr, 20yr and 23yr very reasonable!"
100. The Metropolitan Grille - Seattle, WA
"has 20 and 23 year old Pappy"
101. Japango - Boulder, CO
"a Japanese and Sushi restaurant in Boulder CO, we typically get a large allocation due to our relationship and volume with Buffalo Trace, and in general our reputation for our whiskey and bourbon selection. We had our own Weller barrel this past year, and we will have our own single barrel of both Eagle rare, and Buffalo Trace for 2017. We typically have all Pappy's throughout the year, as well as the complete antique collection. Largest Japanese whiskey selection in CO as well."
102. Barleymash - San Diego, CA
"They had a few options (this was a year ago this month) but I had the 12 at the time.”
103. 35 Steak House + Martini Bar at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV
104. The Collins Bar - Birmingham, AL
"has them all and going fast"
Just arrived in Door County! Mink River Basin (125+ whiskies!) in Ellison Bay, JJ’s in Sister Bay, Donny’s Glidden Lodge on the Lake just north of Sturgeon Bay. Cheers!
105. Mink River Basin - Ellison Bay, WI
106. JJs La Puerta - Sister Bay, WI
107. Donny’s Glidden Lodge - Sturgeon Bay, WI
20 year 2 oz pour is $60"
"has the 10 and 12 as of this evening."
122. GT Fish & Oyster - Chicago, IL
123. Kirby's Prime Steakhouse - Woodlands, TX
"has 10, 15 & 20 as of New Years Eve"
124. Mad Oak Bar 'n' Yard - Oakland, CA
"We have tons of Pappy on hand. 10yr, 12yr, 13yr, 15yr, 20yr & 23yr.
125. Emeril's Delmonico - New Orleans, LA
126. Prohibition Kitchen - St. Augustine, FL
"They have the 10, 12 and 15, starting at 20 a shot."
127. Joe's Stone Crab - Miami Beach, Florida
128. Maxie’s Southern Comfort - Milwaukee, WI
129. Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar - Galt House - Louisville, KY
130. Industry Public House - Pittsburgh, PA (near Pittsburgh International Airport)
"has Pappy 15 as of New Years Eve at $50 a pour"
131. The Reeds at Shelter Haven - Stone Harbor, NJ
132. JW Marriott Hill Country Resort/Crooked Branch Bar - San Antonio
"located downstairs from the lobby. Bring $$$ as 10 yr goes for $42 a shot and the 23yr is going to run about $250!!! The 10yr is seeing some love but the 23 is still sealed."
133. Kindred Fare - Geneva, New York
134. Cask & Ale - Madison, WI
"Old Van Winkle 10 & 12, Pappy's 15, 20, 23, and the Van Winkle rye."
135. Shellys Backroom Cigar Bar - Washington, DC
"Drank the last of the 12 yr and most of a brand new 10yr! No one thought much of it!! Only 16$ per shot of 10, and 23$ for 12!!!!"
136. Peacock Inn - Princeton, NJ
137. The Observatory - Spokane, WA
"12 year $25, 23 year $75"
138. The Padre Hotel - Bakersfield, CA
139. Rumi’s Kitchen - Atlanta, GA
"has the 15, 20 and 23 yr"
140. Waterhouse Tavern - Chicago, IL
141. Bleau Bar Fontainebleau - Miami Beach, FL
"They had everything except the 15yr. Also had Macallan 1960 and 1970."
142. The Cove - Memphis, TN
"has PVW 15, 20 & 23"
143. The Bull and Bear Steakhouse in the Waldorf Astoria - Orlando FL
"had Pappy 10, Pappy 12b, Pappy 15, Pappy 20, and Pappy 23. The Pappy 23 was a staggering $350 but they had it"
144. Union Lodge No. 1 - Denver, CO
"they’ll do half pours"
145. Datz - Tampa, FL
"a bottle of 10 year"
146. Julep - Kansas City, MO
"Has 12yr Lot B($15=1oz), 15yr($30=1oz), 20yr ($50=1oz), and 23yr($75=1oz). Also has all of the BTAC."
147. Harry’s Country Club - Kansas City, MO
"Has ORVW($17=1oz), Lot B($35=1oz), 15yr($75=1oz), 20yr($150=1oz), 23yr($250=1oz). Prices are a bit insane!"
148. Southside Smokehouse & Grille - Landrum, SC
"Has Van Winkle 10 and 12! Pappy 15 and 20! Over 100 Bourbons. Ryes. and American whiskeys! Many trophy Bourbons in the inventory!"
149. Comfort - Richmond, VA.
"20 Year - Good pour and price!"
15o. 82 Queen - Charleston, SC
"has 10yr Van Winkle"
151. Bowery Bay - Astoria, New York
PVW 23 Year - $145
152. Local Gastropub – Memphis, TN
"PVW 15, 20 & 23"
153. Dakota’s Steakhouse - Dallas
"has 12-year-old Pappy’s"
154. 20byNine – Martha’s Vineyard, MA
"Excellent bourbon selection including Old RVW 10, PVW 12, 15, 20 and 23."
155. Kreso's - Bardstown, KY
"In Bardstown Ky, the bourbon capital of the world. There is a small restaurant Kreso's on 3rd Street. The Main strip of this tiny town I discovered a wonderful meal and a healthy shot of 23 yr old for $150."
156. Bub City- Chicago, IL
"has a ton of whiskey to try. I lost count. But they do have a reserve list. All prices are for a 2oz pour."
157. DISH - Dallas, TX
"had Pappy 10, 12, and 15. Two ounce pours for $32/$38/$56"
158. The Blackheart - Austin, TX
"has Pappy 10, 12, 20, 23, among many other rare finds. Pappy 10 was only $25 a pour"
159. Mes Que - Buffalo, NY
160. Mezza Restaurant and Lounge - Buffalo, NY
161. Bourbon and Burnz - Pawleys Island, SC
"has 10 12 20 and 23"
162. Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA
"has it 12, 20, 23 year. Two ounce pours go for 'add a zero to the year.' "
163. Cítricos Restaurant, Grand Floridian Resort - Walt Disney World - Orlando, FL
164. Grange, The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection - Sacramento, CA
"has the 10 year for $70 and 23 for $95 (or maybe it was the 20 year for $95). I had the 10 year and man it was delicious."
165. Del Posto - New York, NY $90 a shot for 12 ye old Pappy
"$90 a shot for 12-year-old Pappy"
166. Samba Steak and Sushi - Framingham, MA
"Just in: Old Rip 10, Van Winkle 12, Family Reserve 15, 20 and 23...Pricey…. Starts at $95 for Old Rip 10"
167. Dry 85 Bourbon Bar - Annapolis, MD
168. Street Side Ale House - Atascadero, CA
"Two to three are even discounted one month of the year, but still pretty expensive per glass. I remember the 23yo being 120 per glass (never discounted)."
