Want some Pappy Van Winkle, the best Bourbon in the world? Well, this year you've got a better chance to score some than you have in awhile.
Why?
This year yields for the Pappy Bourbons (15, 20, 23) were higher than anticipated, but there will be no 13Yr rye. It needs one more year.
The official statement:
“We have a one year gap in barrel inventory for the Van Winkle Rye. Our current barrels are 12 years old. So rather than compromise on quality or remove the age statement, we decided it would be best to hold off this year and bottle them next year as the 13 Year Old Rye Whiskey fans have come to expect.” - Kris Comstock, Buffalo Trace senior marketing director
And this is what Pappy would sell for if we weren't in the midst of a "Pappy Bubble."
- $59.99 – Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 proof
- $69.99 – Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old
- $99.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old
- $169.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old
- $269.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old
If you get it at that price, kiss your liquor store owner on the mouth. At multiples of 3 to 5, buy them a drink. When it gets to 10X, go elsewhere. You're likely to find it cheaper on the secondary market.
As Julian Van Winkle himself laments:
“Unfortunately we do not control the pricing retailers charge, so many retailers mark it up, even though we ask them not to. We have not raised prices and do not intend to do so drastically in the future. We are committed to our quality and our pricing and hope retailers will honor what we suggest as retail pricing.”
Good luck!
Will they be distributing in the Kansas City area?
Yes, you can do all the legwork yourself or join the Pappy Club and we will keep you posted of many of the events and lotteries.