PVW 15 vs 20

[Psilocide]

I recently had the opportunity to try some PVW 20 yr at a bar, and was amazed by how good it was. Unfortunately you cant find bottles here. However I recently found PVW 15 for sale - can anyone tell me how they compare in taste? If its anywhere near as good as the 20 then I'll be buying as much as I can.

[kickert]

I recently had the opportunity to try some PVW 20 yr at a bar, and was amazed by how good it was. Unfortunately you cant find bottles here. However I recently found PVW 15 for sale - can anyone tell me how they compare in taste? If its anywhere near as good as the 20 then I'll be buying as much as I can.

I actually did a side by side of the 12, 15 and 20 year old Van Winkles today. The 15 is my favorite followed by the 12, then the 20. The 12 is very mellow and the strong note is vanilla and caramel. The 15 maintains that vanilla and caramel and adds nice barrel notes of oak and char. By 20 years a lot of the sweet characters are gone and the wood dominates.

Of course the 15 is 107 proof as well, so it packs more punch (or more whiskey if you bring the proof down to 90). If you can get the Pappy 15 for $50 or less, buy it up. If it is $75, I still prefer it to the 20 and would buy it.

Of course the 15 to 20 discussion usually revolves around how much people like extra aged stuff. I tend to not like whiskies over 15 years and like to stay in the 10-12 range. Others like that tannic oaky flavor and will prefer the 20 or 23.

[JMac72]

I recently had the opportunity to try some PVW 20 yr at a bar, and was amazed by how good it was. Unfortunately you cant find bottles here. However I recently found PVW 15 for sale - can anyone tell me how they compare in taste? If its anywhere near as good as the 20 then I'll be buying as much as I can.

Hi Psilocide....I'm headed to Vegas this Sunday...I don't suppose you would share where you have found the PVW 15? (that is if you have found it in Vegas and not online).

[p_elliott]

I have a VW 12 lot B and a PVWFR 20 and I prefer the the 20 over the 12 have never had the 15.

[gblick]

..have never had the 15.

"Good things come to those who wait"

[jburlowski]

Hi Psilocide....I'm headed to Vegas this Sunday...I don't suppose you would share where you have found the PVW 15? (that is if you have found it in Vegas and not online).

Try the bars at the Bellagio (particularly the Petrossian, which is right off the main lobby). Also available (but more expensive) at Wynn's Encore.

[SBOmarc]

I enjoy all of the VW products. The 15 is my favorite. The 12 is a former fav but it's price has jumped in this market.

[smokinjoe]

To me, the 15 and the 20 are completely different animals. Ben's described the differences perfectly, IMO. I really like the 20, but I crave the 15. It may be the Best bourbon on the planet, IMHO.

[docbible]

The 20 yo is my favorite over all the VW line. All are great but the 20 stands out on my palate. I had all the orvw and vw open for a tasting at the same time, the 20 was the first to to run dry. All are superior bourbons in my book, you can not go wrong with any of them. tim

[gr8erdane]

Personally I don't find the 20 that woody. I think it one of the most balanced bottlings made. Many of the elder statesmen here always used to sing the praises of ORVW15-107 which I've never found to be that remarkable and moaned when it was discontinued and replaced by the Pappy 15. To me Pappy 15 was a step up towards the balance of the 20 and yet is a whole different taste profile. Lot B 12 to me is that perfect profile for any occasion yet doesn't have the complexity (perfect for when I don't want to think about what's in the glass but just want to enjoy the pour).

[OscarV]

Personally I don't find the 20 that woody. I think it one of the most balanced bottlings made. Many of the elder statesmen here always used to sing the praises of ORVW15-107 which I've never found to be that remarkable and moaned when it was discontinued and replaced by the Pappy 15. To me Pappy 15 was a step up towards the balance of the 20 and yet is a whole different taste profile. Lot B 12 to me is that perfect profile for any occasion yet doesn't have the complexity (perfect for when I don't want to think about what's in the glass but just want to enjoy the pour).

[Psilocide]

Hi Psilocide....I'm headed to Vegas this Sunday...I don't suppose you would share where you have found the PVW 15? (that is if you have found it in Vegas and not online).

Sorry if this is coming too late - I was offline most of the weekend. Lee's discount liquor (there are several locations around the city) is carrying the 15 for $50.

Also, the cigar bar at Bellagio carries the PVW 20 by the glass. Unfortunately, by the very small glass.

Thanks for everyone's input - I'll be buying it this afternoon. Cant wait to give it a try.

[tommyboy38]

Haven't had the PVW20 lately but my bottle of PVW15 has opened up very nicely after a few months of air. It's FABULOUS!!

[scopenut]

The 15 is my favorite PVW, followed by 10/107 and then the 20. I think I'm one of the few on the list who isn't particularly wowed by the 12.

-Kevin

[gblick]

The 15 is my favorite PVW, followed by 10/107 and then the 20. I think I'm one of the few on the list who isn't particularly wowed by the 12.

-Kevin

I agree, but I've yet to try the latest Lot B which I hear is outstanding.

[BourbonJoe]

I also am not wowed by the 12, except for the "Van Blankle". That's good.

Joe :usflag:

[Josh]

I also am not wowed by the 12, except for the "Van Blankle". That's good.

Joe :usflag:

I hear the Old Pip Stan Winkle is excellent too.

[tommyboy38]

I'm still hunting for a dusty bottle of Van Blankle but to no avail.

[gblick]

I agree that the Van Blankle is very good, the best of the Lot B that I've had.

[funknik]

I have had the pleasure of trying all of the Van Winkles (except the ORVW 10/90 or 15/107) and I think I like the PVW15 the best as well. It may seem counter-intuitive, but I found the ORVW 10/107 and 12yr Lot 'B' to be 'woodier' than the PVW15 or PVW20 . . . or, at least, less balanced. I like older, woodier bourbons, but the 10 & 12yr seemed to have a 'sharp' agressive oak flavor, whereas the 15 & 20yr offered a more mellow wood experience. The PVW23 I found to be very charcoal-tinged and not to my taste, although I've heard some of the single barrel selections of this are great.

I just got a new bottle of each the ORVW 10/107 & Lot 'B' and, being fairly new to this, I'm excited to get my impressions after a second bottle. As of now, I put them both firmly in qa 'follower' category . . . that is, I like them better after I've started with another bourbon as a primer (my typical choice is OWA 7/107) . . . as for the price, I agree with Oscar -- I really like the PVW20, but I'd rather get more for less and go with the Old Rip, Lot 'B' or PVW15.

[nor02lei]

To me 15 is very much better than he 20. I don’t like the 20. It may not be over woody as others have said on this thread but at least to my personal taste it is pretty tired. I am not impressed in the 12-year ether, not even the van Blankle. My favourite standard van winkle bourbon is ORVW 10-107.

Leif

[RedVette]

Many of the elder statesmen here always used to sing the praises of ORVW15-107 which I've never found to be that remarkable and moaned when it was discontinued and replaced by the Pappy 15.

Hmmm, me thinks the Dane might be talking about me. :grin: I still think that ORVW15-107 was one of the best Bourbons ever made, and none of the current bottlings are as good. Having said that, both the 15 and 20 year old Pappy's are delicious and very distinctive, I give the slight edge to the 15. The 23 (including Randy's single barrel version) is too woody, period, but the 20 still has a lot of the fruit of the younger versions in a mellower package. Lot B doesnt do anything for me (I enjoy BT just as much at half the price), and I havent had enough 10 yr old to form an opinion.

[RedVette]

Many of the elder statesmen here always used to sing the praises of ORVW15-107 which I've never found to be that remarkable and moaned when it was discontinued and replaced by the Pappy 15.

Hmmm, me thinks the Dane might be talking about me. :grin: I still think that ORVW15-107 was one of the best Bourbons ever made, and none of the current bottlings are as good. Having said that, both the 15 and 20 year old Pappy's are delicious and very distinctive, I give the slight edge to the 15. The 23 (including Randy's single barrel version) is too woody, period, but the 20 still has a lot of the fruit of the younger versions in a mellower package. Lot B doesnt do anything for me (I enjoy regular BT just as much at half the price), and I havent had enough 10 yr old to form an opinion.

[tommyboy38]

A bit off topic but I'd like to see the Van Winkle Lot b at 107 proof. It's a great whiskey as is and just about everyone I've shared it with has LOVED it.

[Stones]

I too think the 15 and 20 are particularly different and tend to agree with smokingjoe's comment, the 20 is a mighty good pour but the 15 seemed better to me.