VW Fall 2011 Allocation Actual Tasting Discussion

[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

[elmo]

As I mentioned before, I like it alot and would be glad to buy bottles of 2011 Pappy 15 at cost plus shipping from any disappointed hoarders. :grin:

[luther.r]

As I mentioned before, I like it alot and would be glad to buy bottles of 2011 Pappy 15 at cost plus shipping from any disappointed hoarders. :grin:

But do you have experience with pre-2011 Pappy 15? If so, do you think it compares favorably?

[hectic1]

But do you have experience with pre-2011 Pappy 15? If so, do you think it compares favorably?

Why does it matter? It was widely known that VW bottled enough in 2009 when the juice was 16yrs old to last them a couple years until their new supply was ready! I don't get the collective gasp over this years bottling of Pappy 15...

I haven't had the new version and most likely won't unless I trade for a sample but in all honesty I'm just not that interested in chasing down some! There is plenty of other worthy bourbon sitting readily available that is a viable alternative (PHC 2010) to Pappy 15! If you haven't had the opportunity to try that bourbon do yourself a favor and grab a bottle...your Pappy 15 yearning may be substantially reduced.

[luther.r]

Why does it matter? It was widely known that VW bottled enough in 2009 when the juice was 16yrs old to last them a couple years until their new supply was ready! I don't get the collective gasp over this years bottling of Pappy 15...

I haven't had the new version and most likely won't unless I trade for a sample but in all honesty I'm just not that interested in chasing down some! There is plenty of other worthy bourbon sitting readily available that is a viable alternative (PHC 2010) to Pappy 15! If you haven't had the opportunity to try that bourbon do yourself a favor and grab a bottle...your Pappy 15 yearning may be substantially reduced.

I guess it matters because:

-Pappy 15 is the #1 favorite bourbon on this forum.

-Preston said in the podcast that it's no longer SW, but BT in the Pappy 15. That makes this a pivotal time for this great bourbon.

-It's harder to find than ever, so it wouldn't make as much sense for people to work hard to track it down (or pay more for that matter) if it's not as good as previous years.

-And I'm curious.

[BigRich]

I guess it matters because:

-Pappy 15 is the #1 favorite bourbon on this forum.

-Preston said in the podcast that it's no longer SW, but BT in the Pappy 15. That makes this a pivotal time for this great bourbon.

-It's harder to find than ever, so it wouldn't make as much sense for people to work hard to track it down (or pay more for that matter) if it's not as good as previous years.

-And I'm curious.

Was there a vote I missed?:grin:

[luther.r]

Was there a vote I missed?:grin:

Actually, I must put my foot in my mouth here. I was thinking of this thread, which I read last week, but remembered incorrectly.

It's from 2008 and it looks like the 15 comes in as a tie for 3rd.

[timd]

I guess it matters because:

-It's harder to find than ever, so it wouldn't make as much sense for people to work hard to track it down (or pay more for that matter) if it's not as good as previous years.

Actually, at this point, I've passed on each opportunity I've had to buy Pappy 15 from this allocation - but I've had chances at probably between 4-6 bottles.

I'm only buying the Rye from the VWs this time around - and probably for the near future.

I don't think the 15 has been scarce. All the stores and folks I know - except one - has gotten several bottles of the 15, the 23 & Rye have been essentially "no shows" this time around (at least in the areas I'm familiar with). I think the 15, 12, and both 10's are pretty readily available, to the extent that if you wanted one and were on a list, you probably would get at least one of those offerings... at least around here in DFW.

[tigerlam92]

Perhaps it's still early to say . . .

Why is there this change for the worst for the 15 time and time again?

I still remember and still have the ORVW15 which was much better than the PVW15. And now the newer PVW15-BT is supposedly worse than the PVW15.

I also wonder is it because

ORVW15 is 100% SW > PVW15 mostly SW, slightly aged > PVW15-BT is 0% SW

--Hugh

[jfw]

Actually, at this point, I've passed on each opportunity I've had to buy Pappy 15 from this allocation - but I've had chances at probably between 4-6 bottles.

I'm only buying the Rye from the VWs this time around - and probably for the near future.

I don't think the 15 has been scarce. All the stores and folks I know - except one - has gotten several bottles of the 15, the 23 & Rye have been essentially "no shows" this time around (at least in the areas I'm familiar with). I think the 15, 12, and both 10's are pretty readily available, to the extent that if you wanted one and were on a list, you probably would get at least one of those offerings... at least around here in DFW.

I think it all depends on where you live. There was a lot less 15 here in MD then previous years, but we had a ton of rye. There were plenty of stores here you could walk in and find rye on the shelves a week after the release.

[CaptainQ]

There were plenty of stores here you could walk in and find rye on the shelves a week after the release.

:bigeyes: That would be called Rye Valhalla. :bowdown:

[timd]

:bigeyes: That would be called Rye Valhalla. :bowdown:

Amen.... I'm moving to Maryland.

[ErichPryde]

How long has your 2011 Pappy 15 been opened?

BINGO.

This is going to get better as it breathes. I'm drinking an 11 PVW15 right now, and it's good. Think of it as a 107 proof 05 or 08 WLW, and I think you'll like it more. Considering what 15 years run, and especially VWs, if you can get it for 60 it's worth it.

[ErichPryde]

There is plenty of other worthy bourbon sitting readily available that is a viable alternative (PHC 2010) to Pappy 15! If you haven't had the opportunity to try that bourbon do yourself a favor and grab a bottle...your Pappy 15 yearning may be substantially reduced.

I have yet to try this. I'll definitely have to hunt some up.

[White Dog]

BINGO.

This is going to get better as it breathes. I'm drinking an 11 PVW15 right now, and it's good. Think of it as a 107 proof 05 or 08 WLW, and I think you'll like it more. Considering what 15 years run, and especially VWs, if you can get it for 60 it's worth it.

That said, I've been going thru a spring 2011 release Pappy 15 opened in May 2011 that has been disappointing me thru Dec. 2011. While it's only 1 bottle, it's quite apart from many other Pappy 15s I've had. If I would take a stab it seems more like old Bernheim wheater to me.

[luther.r]

That said, I've been going thru a spring 2011 release Pappy 15 opened in May 2011 that has been disappointing me thru Dec. 2011. While it's only 1 bottle, it's quite apart from many other Pappy 15s I've had. If I would take a stab it seems more like old Bernheim wheater to me.

Is it marked 2011 or 2009?

[White Dog]

I have yet to try this. I'll definitely have to hunt some up.

PHC2010 is obscenely good. In retrospect, I regret not hoarding like a freak. If you're into that whole dumb older wheater thing.:skep: :grin: :cool: :slappin:

[DeanSheen]

That said, I've been going thru a spring 2011 release Pappy 15 opened in May 2011 that has been disappointing me thru Dec. 2011. While it's only 1 bottle, it's quite apart from many other Pappy 15s I've had. If I would take a stab it seems more like old Bernheim wheater to me.

Ouch. That's damning with faint praise.

[White Dog]

Is it marked 2011 or 2009?

It's 2011 spring release. No doubt about it due to the retailer in question.

[luther.r]

It's 2011 spring release. No doubt about it due to the retailer in question.

The reason I ask is I've read that some of the bottles released in spring '11 were marked as being bottled in '09.

[hectic1]

PHC2010 is obscenely good. In retrospect, I regret not hoarding like a freak. If you're into that whole dumb older wheater thing.:skep: :grin: :cool: :slappin:

You and me both...I'm a little more disapointed knowing that I left a case of it on the shelf for $48.99ea...