Sorting through the Van Winkle line: priorities?

[Robmo]

I finally found a store in my area that carries nearly the full line of Van Winkle products. This is extremely rare, and I was actually hyperventilating when I left the store!

Now I'm plotting my return visit and how I'm going to blow my next paycheck. I'll probably have to make some painful choices, so I was wondering: from the following list, which do you consider most essential?

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 y.o. (sorry, didn't check the proof on it)

Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye

Van Winkle Family Reserve 12 y.o. "Lot B"

Pappy Van Winkle 15 y.o.

And, from the above list, is there any one of those products you'd feel most comfortable leaving on the shelf?

By the way what does "Lot B" refer to?

(Note: I'm not so immediately interested in the 20 y.o. or 23 y.o. for the time being, as they are more easily obtainable in my area.)

[Fullbuck]

Get all of the 15 year you can. The others can all be found just about anytime year round.

[MarkEdwards]

I like the 15yo, closely followed by the Lot B and the rye. I did not like the one bottle of Old Rip VanWinkle that I tried because of its 'mediciny' taste, although it mixes well with eggnog.

[Parkersback]

Take this with a grain of salt, as I have had the Lot B, the 10, the 15, and the 20, but never the rye (I have two bunkered that I have not opened yet).

Also, please jump in with other opinions or corrections as needed (like I need to ask... SB is not exactly comprised of shy wallflowers when it comes to opinions or corrections) :grin:

However, I'd say the priority would be the rye, as there is a finite supply of it. The 10 and the Lot B are being made at BT and it's pretty safe to say they will be in production for a while.

The 15 is either entirely made up of SW make, or is a combination of BT and SW, and that is finite, too. But, I believe BT is in the process of making and aging stuff that will be at least similar to the 15 in bottles today. Personally, I highly doubt that I could differentiate between a 15 yr old BT Van Winkle 107 wheater, and pure SW VW 107 wheater. Blind, I guarantee I could not. Maybe others could.

The question is, then, is there a rye being made now that will replace VWFRR with the same mashbill, aging, etc in the same way they are seeking to replicate the wheaters? I have not heard that they are, but I could certainly be wrong.

Release the hounds.

[Parkersback]

Take this with a grain (or a spoonful) of salt, as I have had the Lot B, the 10, the 15, and the 20, but never the rye (I have two bunkered that I have not opened yet).

Also, please jump in with other opinions or corrections as needed (like I need to ask... SB is not exactly comprised of shy wallflowers when it comes to opinions or corrections) :grin:

However, I'd say the priority would be the rye, as there is a finite supply of it. The 10 and the Lot B are being made at BT and it's pretty safe to say they will be in production for a while.

The 15 is either entirely made up of SW make, or is a combination of BT and SW, and the SW is finite, too. But, I believe BT is in the process of making and aging stuff that will be at least similar to the 15 in bottles today. Personally, I highly doubt that I could differentiate between a 15 yr old BT Van Winkle 107 wheater, and pure SW VW 107 wheater. Blind, I guarantee I could not. Maybe others could.

The question is, then, is there a rye being made now that will replace VWFRR with the same mashbill, aging, etc in the same way they are seeking to replicate the wheaters? I have not heard that they are, but I could certainly be wrong.

Release the hounds.

[bourbon-n00b]

I'd load up on the 15 and the Rye and try to squeeze in a bottle or two of the 10yr, provided that it's the 107 proof version.

If you still had $$ after that, Lot B is never a bad idea. I just think it's a little less-essential than the other options...

[unclebunk]

The Pappy 15 and VWFRR are my favorites of the bunch by a long shot and, as others have noted, in finite supply. If possible, you may wish to pick up a few of each and leave the others for a rainy day when you've got a few dollars burning a hole in your pocket.

[Josh]

I would rank them in the following order (accounting for price):

1. Old Rip 10/107

2. Pappy 15/107

3. VW Family Reserve Rye

4. (distant) Lot B (15 y/o)

5. Pappy 20

6. Old Rip 10/90

7.Pappy 23

[flintlock]

You're not buying Picassos - it's made to drink. Buy what you like. If you haven't drunk these whiskies, get one of each. Open it - taste it. If you like it, buy as much as you want. That is the whole of the law and the prophets. :cool:

The 15 year is a "dead man walking". Once it's gone, you'll never see it again. The rest of the line will be available in one form or another, for many years to come. (Until, all of a sudden, they aren't...)

Remember, if you don't want them, someone else will. Never a bad idea to have desireable trading stock on hand.

[CaptainQ]

Rob,

Here's how I would buy if I were you:

#1 top priority-Pappy 15(like others have said once it's gone , it's gone for good)(well liked by nearly everyone here on SB)

#2-the rye(it's on its last days, old stock)

#3-the 10/107

#4-TIE between Lot B 12 year old and the Pappy 20.

Good luck, I know how you feel.

[smokinjoe]

Get the rye. It's wonderful whiskey, and there simply isn't much rye made these days of such quality as the VWFRR. If you're not sure about rye, in general, then go with the 15. The provenance doesn't matter, because it's so confusing, I don't think the VW's even know for sure, anymore. (at least, based on what they have, and have not, then have, but still have not, said.). Regardless, the 15 is wonderful, too.

[cigarnv]

The 15YO followed by the rye....

[callmeox]

I'm with SmokinJoe for the same reasons.

Rye then 15. You should try both of them before they disappear/change for good.

[Robmo]

Sounds like most are in consensus that the 15 yr and rye are priorities. And I do like rye. Makes the funds allocation a lot easier. If budget allows, I might even double up.

Thanks for all the great advice! Man I love this web site.

[jburlowski]

Maybe I'm too late for the consensus but I'd say:

15 - far and away better than the rest

Lot B... as Chuck says, you can't go wrong

ORVW... especially if it is the 10/107

the rye... very good but (at least here) not that good for the price compared to the competition

[Parkersback]

Regarding Lot B, it's good whiskey, but I can't ever see myself buying a bottle as long as Weller 12 exists (at less than half the price). I had a glass of Lot B last week at a bar, and had just finished a bottle of of the Weller 12 the week before that, and to me, they are nearly indistinguishable.

[CaptainQ]

Regarding Lot B, it's good whiskey, but I can't ever see myself buying a bottle as long as Weller 12 exists (at less than half the price). I had a glass of Lot B last week at a bar, and had just finished a bottle of of the Weller 12 the week before that, and to me, they are nearly indistinguishable.

When Weller 12 is good it can be as great as Lot B, but recently I'll give the nod to the Van Winkle. You do pay extra for the Van Winkle selected honey barrels.

[Vosgar]

I'd load up on the 15 and the Rye and try to squeeze in a bottle or two of the 10yr, provided that it's the 107 proof version.

If you still had $$ after that, Lot B is never a bad idea. I just think it's a little less-essential than the other options...

What he said

Gary

[White Dog]

Take this with a grain of salt, as I have had the Lot B, the 10, the 15, and the 20, but never the rye (I have two bunkered that I have not opened yet).

Also, please jump in with other opinions or corrections as needed (like I need to ask... SB is not exactly comprised of shy wallflowers when it comes to opinions or corrections) :grin:

However, I'd say the priority would be the rye, as there is a finite supply of it. The 10 and the Lot B are being made at BT and it's pretty safe to say they will be in production for a while.

The 15 is either entirely made up of SW make, or is a combination of BT and SW, and that is finite, too. But, I believe BT is in the process of making and aging stuff that will be at least similar to the 15 in bottles today. Personally, I highly doubt that I could differentiate between a 15 yr old BT Van Winkle 107 wheater, and pure SW VW 107 wheater. Blind, I guarantee I could not. Maybe others could.

The question is, then, is there a rye being made now that will replace VWFRR with the same mashbill, aging, etc in the same way they are seeking to replicate the wheaters? I have not heard that they are, but I could certainly be wrong.

Release the hounds.

[White Dog]

Regarding Lot B, it's good whiskey, but I can't ever see myself buying a bottle as long as Weller 12 exists (at less than half the price). I had a glass of Lot B last week at a bar, and had just finished a bottle of of the Weller 12 the week before that, and to me, they are nearly indistinguishable.

[RyanL]

I tried the Rye and PVW23 this weekend at a bar for the first time. The rye is now a must buy for me if I find it anywhere, not so much for the 23 as long as I can still find 20 around.

[Robmo]

Maybe I'm too late for the consensus but...

No problem! Chiming in is always appreciated.

[LikeItWasSodaPop]

Echoing the echo, I guess I will parrot White Dog and say that I have had 2 recent bottles of Lot B and found two separate bottles of Weller 12 better than both.

I had first bought the Weller 12 in early Feb when I first started lurking. Loved it. Then grabbed the Lot B and was surprised at how underwhelmed it left me. Just tasted flat. Let it sit in the glass to breathe, etc., and still nothing. The name alone bothered me, and reminded me of an inferior nightlife establishment that named itself "Plan B." It seemed to know it wasn't better than the competition, but hey, if that place was too crowded, it could serve as a grudging alternative. Calling something "Lot B" seems to beg the question, "Where the eff is the 'Lot A'"?

Nevertheless, I convinced myself that I got a bum bottle. It's VW after all. Got another from a different store where I was able to confirm it was likely from a different batch (first was from Binny's where shelves move fast, second had been on the shelf for at least 2 years). Bad move. Just as flat.

Then found the Binny's single barrel Weller 12 at a suburban location. And I found it to be miles better than either Lot B bottle I have.

I enjoy all the other VW products, but the Lot B is the outlier to me. I do save the bottles for random vattings since they look nice.

[LikeItWasSodaPop]

I guess I had it a bit wrong, White Dog finds Weller 12 and Lot B indistinguishable, I find Weller 12 better.

As for the OP -- mind telling us what these bottles selling for in Japan, particularly the consensus favorites (PWV 15 and the FRR)?

I'm always surprised to see the vast fluctuations in price across geography and time as I peruse threads on this site. My corner store has the ORVW 10 / 107 for $45, even though Binny's (when it has it) sells it for at least $10 less.

From what I vaguely remember from an interview, the FRR was initially sold in the Japanese market and Julian only began selling it here after friends urged him to. So I'm curious as to what it's selling for over there.

Thanks.

[hectic1]

Echoing the echo, I guess I will parrot White Dog and say that I have had 2 recent bottles of Lot B and found two separate bottles of Weller 12 better than both.

I had first bought the Weller 12 in early Feb when I first started lurking. Loved it. Then grabbed the Lot B and was surprised at how underwhelmed it left me. Just tasted flat. Let it sit in the glass to breathe, etc., and still nothing. The name alone bothered me, and reminded me of an inferior nightlife establishment that named itself "Plan B." It seemed to know it wasn't better than the competition, but hey, if that place was too crowded, it could serve as a grudging alternative. Calling something "Lot B" seems to beg the question, "Where the eff is the 'Lot A'"?

Nevertheless, I convinced myself that I got a bum bottle. It's VW after all. Got another from a different store where I was able to confirm it was likely from a different batch (first was from Binny's where shelves move fast, second had been on the shelf for at least 2 years). Bad move. Just as flat.

Then found the Binny's single barrel Weller 12 at a suburban location. And I found it to be miles better than either Lot B bottle I have.

I enjoy all the other VW products, but the Lot B is the outlier to me. I do save the bottles for random vattings since they look nice.

That doesn't surprise me that you liked the Binny's Weller 12 better then the lot b. The Binny's Weller 12 was 14yr 3mo Bernheim juice and some of the best Weller 12 Single barrel that I've ever had...too bad there isn't any more Binny's Weller 12 around!