Incredibly old for a bourbon, this bottling of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve was aged for 20 years and retains a beautiful sweetness, a perfect digestif whiskey.
Stewed fruits on the nose, sweet spices, oiliness, white chocolate, walnut.
Rich, soft and sweet oak with custard. The mouthfeel is like silk, and Preston Van Winkle likens this to a classic Cognac, and we reckon he’s onto something. The maturity, smooth/oily feel of this on the tongue, coupled with musty fruitiness sum up what we love about a decent XO, this is sublime.
Good length, with hints of honeycomb, peppery spices and prune.
Heaven!
I am 53 years old and had the pleasure of trying Pappy Van Winkle for the first time.(and likely the last) Few things I have put in my mouth, that has moved me to talk about it, this __ is the first time I felt the need to write.
The newer Pappy's are definitely not as good as the older 100% Stitzel bottlings. Any bottle that contains bourbon from after 1992 is a blend with the remaining stitzel stock and aged buffalo trace stock. While they tried to replicate the bourbon as best they could (prices would seem to suggest so at least), it will be a let down to anyone who is shelling out big bucks. That said, I continue to put my name on about 100 retailers lists every year in case they get some and willing to pay MSRP (which is about $120 for 20 y/o).
I had a bottle of this back in 2013, and I remember it being higher proof. Maybe I'm wrong, but it was more bombastic, and also a little less predictable. This year's is amazing, however, despite being less of a sophisticate than this year's. I miss the "model airplane glue" not in the old Schtizel juice. This year's release has notes of bees' wax, molasses, mint, caramel, and marshmallow nougat, but with less cinnamon than in the 15. I found it a bit weak in terms of the proof. It's too bad it wasn't up around 100 proof. It would have been so much better that way.
Pappy = Average Glenmorangie = Brilliant Period.
A sucker is born every minute!
