Pappy Van Winkle

Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is one of the most highly sought after spirits on the market. Although, this collection currently features six top-shelf whiskey options. This includes, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year, Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year, Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year, and the halo product of Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. Pappy always carried a philosophy of “always fine bourbon.” More specifically, “we make fine bourbon at a profit if we can at a loss if we must but always fine bourbon.”

Who Was Pappy?

The original and iconic “Pappy” had a long history in the bourbon industry. Julian Van Winkle began his career as a salesman for W. L. Weller pushing whiskey in 1893. However, he started cementing his name in whiskey history after the Prohibition Era ended. Famously, opening the Stitzel-Weller Distillery just south of Louisville on Derby Day in 1935. This was a cutting-edge distillery of its time, producing various brands on site until he passed away in 1965. The family went on to sell this distillery. Today this facility is owned by a multinational brand, but is also used by Bulleit as a second showroom and bourbon tour location. In 2012, Buffalo Trace Distillery based out of Frankfurt, KY approached the family to help with the distilling process. Therefore, today the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery doesn’t actually exist as a standalone production facility.