VW Fall 2011 Allocation Actual Tasting Discussion

[White Dog]

John addresses that issue here...

http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/20...-2009-release/

BTW, he called the 2010 Saz 18 "an improvement from last year’s release" and the 2011 "very similar to last year's release".

He addresses it, but doesn't give much of a hypothesis as to why the vintages neither ascend nor descend in regards to ratings. You would think it would get better or worse due to oxidation. Maybe this year they bottled the "honey tank."

[timd]

He addresses it, but doesn't give much of a hypothesis as to why the vintages neither ascend nor descend in regards to ratings. You would think it would get better or worse due to oxidation. Maybe this year they bottled the "honey tank."

Or they've learned to pump the oxygen and other volatiles out of the tank and fill it with inert gasses? Doesn't seem that to many folks taste buds that Saz 18 has changed one way or the other for the past few years...

[StraightNoChaser]

We did a side by side of an 09 and 11 PVW15 last night. This new 15yr juice is not worthy to be called PVW if you ask me. Nothing special and undeserving of such a premium price.

[White Dog]

We did a side by side of an 09 and 11 PVW15 last night. This new 15yr juice is not worthy to be called PVW if you ask me. Nothing special and undeserving of such a premium price.

How long has your 2011 Pappy 15 been opened?

[StraightNoChaser]

How long has your 2011 Pappy 15 been opened?

About 5 days. The 09 bottle was opened a little over a week ago

[tigerlam92]

We did a side by side of an 09 and 11 PVW15 last night. This new 15yr juice is not worthy to be called PVW if you ask me. Nothing special and undeserving of such a premium price.

Not that it really matter, but was it neat, ice, splash of water, or all the above?

Thanks
--Hugh

[RWBadley]

We did a side by side of an 09 and 11 PVW15 last night. This new 15yr juice is not worthy to be called PVW if you ask me. Nothing special and undeserving of such a premium price.

I have done a similar test and find the same. The rye this year seems to be the pick of the bunch given the choice between 15 and the 20 yo.

[White Dog]

The Rye and the 20yr are what still appeal to me.

The ORVW10yr107 continues to have a very hard edge for me, Lot B comes off as overpriced Weller 12, and yes, Pappy 15 does seem to have changed. As for the 23, I don't mind paying $200 if I believe in it, but I simply don't like the 23 as much as I do the 20, which my wife is very thankful for.

I will continue to hunt out that Rye thru 2015, then we'll have to wait and see what he releases.

[AaronWF]

I have been pouring the new Pappy 15 nightly, and there's no doubt in my mind that it is quite different from previous bottlings. It's hotter and drier with less caramel and more of a heavy-handed vanilla. I have yet to dilute it, but I'm thinking that the only reason it's 107 proof is because they're using pre-made labels. I have a feeling it will be more enjoyable around 100 proof.

It's still a good bourbon, though I don't see it as something worth bunkering. The cult of Pappy may have been built on the superior product of years past, but I don't doubt the label has the power to convince virgin palates that the 'best whiskey in the world' is this much less refined juice.

I only have a precious few 2009 bottles from Spring allocation, but I don't think I'll be able to resist a direct comparison in the coming weeks.

[StraightNoChaser]

Not that it really matter, but was it neat, ice, splash of water, or all the above?

Thanks
--Hugh

all neat pours, i'm not a diluter