Pappy Van Winkle 23 with gold wax?

[wheatfield]

Hello folks, this is my first post on here as I joined the site to ask this question, though I've been enjoying bourbon for years. I came across a bottle of Pappy 23 but instead of the standard dull gold plastic/foil type wrapper around the cap/cork, this bottle was dipped in dull gold wax and has a kind of string tab to open. The bottle number is written on the label in red with the letter 'A' and a few numbers after.

Does anyone have any info on this bottle? I've never seen a waxed Pappy bottle of any kind.

[White Dog]

I'm in a good mood today so I'm going to assume you're not a flipper, and simply suggest that you do a search for the info you seek.

[wheatfield]

Not a flipper, just looking for more info on a bottle I bought. I did do a search for this information on this site and did a general web search with specific terms. Here's the straight bourbon search for "pappy" "gold" "wax" : http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/search.php?searchid=21479

Tell me if I should be doing something differently in the search. Extensive google searches have yielded nothing. Or better yet, if someone knows this info I'd appreciate it greatly. Just wanted to know the year of bottling, how many times they did the wax, that kind of thing.

In fact so far I've only seen one or two references to Pappy 23 with gold wax, neither having any real information.

Edited July 18, 2012 by wheatfield

[BradleyC]

There were 3 PVW 23's with gold wax. The first release from Lawrenceburg that was numbered only, the 2nd release from Frankfort which was also only numbered, and the 3rd release from 2005 that had the "A" numbering and was bottled in Frankfort. It should be the same whiskey as what is currently available, however the waxed top presentation is more attractive than the foil IMO.

[MrAtomic]

Extensive google searches have yielded nothing. Or better yet, if someone knows this info I'd appreciate it greatly. Just wanted to know the year of bottling, how many times they did the wax, that kind of thing.

Not sure what to tell you, as my non-extensive search on the terms "pappy 23 gold wax" returns the following thread, which answers all of your questions and even includes an explanation from Julian Van Winkle as to why gold wax is no longer used.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-9054.html

[wheatfield]

@ MrAtomic

Yep, I found that but it was just a single post in that thread that referenced the "A" bottling and that was four years ago so I wasn't sure if there was a more recent bottling. Sorry to post a question that was answered somewhere else on the internet at some point in history.

Edited July 18, 2012 by wheatfield

[wheatfield]

@BradleyC

Thanks. Has anyone drank from the 2005 "A" bottle? I agree the presentation is very nice and the wax is high quality.

[MrAtomic]

@ MrAtomic

Yep, I found that but it was just a single post in that thread that referenced the "A" bottling and that was four years ago so I wasn't sure if there was a more recent bottling. Sorry to post a question that was answered somewhere else on the internet at some point in history.

Wheatfield, I'm sorry that I seem to have offended you, but I was simply pointing out a thread that not only answers your questions, but includes a post from the person who selected the bourbon in question (he notes that the switch from wax to foil took place in fall 2007). Not only that, but it contains several posts that discuss the differences between earlier and later bottlings of PVW 23 (including the "A" bottling you purchased). What other information are you looking for that's not addressed in that thread?

Oh, and for what it's worth, I agree with the consensus in that earlier thread. The "A" bottling of PVW 23 was pretty oaky. Significantly more so than a PVW 20, going off my taste memory of that bottling, which I've not had in some time. If you like woody bourbons, I think you'll really enjoy the bottle you bought. When you open it, please share your thoughts with us.

[callmeox]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of folks who stumble upon rare bottles and cruise by here to ask questions.

Dumb luck, I suppose.

[Bmac]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of folks who stumble upon rare bottles and cruise by here to ask questions.

Dumb luck, I suppose.

I could use some dumb luck actually. I have been on waiting lists for 3 years now and have never been offered a Pappy of any year. The one 15 I have I had to buy off FleaBay

That is unless some kind soul wants to impart with a 20. (hint hint)

[clingman71]

I saw a Pappy 23 on the shelf in Chicago two three weeks ago. I know of another store with 10/107. PM me, not sure about shipping though.

[wheatfield]

I was having a hard time not opening this bottle and did so next to a 15 and 20 year. Here are the tasting notes: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?18177-Tasting-Pappy-Van-Winkle-15-20-23

The 15 year was remarkably complex and just a huge bourbon, the 20 significantly more singular and nuanced. The old waxed 23 managed to maintain the intense complexity of the 15 but in a more refined package, has the wonderful bitter orange peel along with the baked apple pie of the younger bottles. Let me know if my notes are decent, I'm mostly used to reviewing beer (huge craft beer fan) but this is a special treat and unusually decadent borubons for me to have purchased.

[Ejmharris]

Great notes and thanks for sharing. A big round of applause for opening it when you clearly had inner battles to not do so. Keep up the great tasting notes and thoughts on others you come across.

[Clavius]

Congrats on opening it and thanks for the tasting notes. I've had all the Van Winkle line except for the 23 and the Rye.

Over the past three years I've gone through four bottles of PVW15 and one bottle of the 20. I just can't "bunker" the stuff despite how hard it is to find. I drink it. Only thing I have in the bunker is an Old Rip 10/107 and that may get opened soon.

[DaveOfAtl]

Really good notes and don't sweat the initial skepticism. If you hang around here much, you'll start to understand why people may have been doubting your intentions.

[White Dog]

I also really appreciate the notes, Wheatfield. You are no flippin' flipper.:cool:

[tigerlam92]

Thanks for the notes.

All my PVW23 are gold wax as well. I have an A1136 opened at the moment and really enjoying it. Definitely not woody. One suggestion I learned from our fellow member is sometimes have a bigger pour and enjoy it over an extended period of time. You will (may) see that it changes as it sit and the profile changes.

Cheers

--Hugh

[wheatfield]

I agree, it wasn't woody/oaky at all, certainly not to its detriment. What is that bottle in the background?

[LikeItWasSodaPop]

I'm sure it's just a coincidence but a gold wax bottle just appeared on fleabay with extensive references to various online sources including blogs of members of this forum and plenty of info that could not have been gleaned elsewhere than here.

[wheatfield]

Sorry, not mine, but thanks for the implication. Mine has been opened and drank from twice now. Want to see pics? There have been a handful of gold wax bottles recently sold, most of which before I put up this thread.

[wheatfield]

I'm sure it's just a coincidence but a gold wax bottle just appeared on fleabay with extensive references to various online sources including blogs of members of this forum and plenty of info that could not have been gleaned elsewhere than here.

[Bmac]

Why does this remind me of the time when a certain member had to post photos of herself to proove she was female?

[p_elliott]

Some people on this site are freakin accusatory and paranoid as all getout.

[LikeItWasSodaPop]

What part of "I'm sure it's just a coincidence" do you not understand? No offense was intended, so, sorry.

I think it's relevant/interesting when an ebay posting cites this forum specifically. I haven't seen this kind of bourbon nerd detail before:

"BOTTLE # 1118, FROM THE 1ST FRANKFORT BOTTLING (2001) OF PAPPY VAN WINKLE 23!!!!

• Frankfort Bottling #1 - 2001: 3000* BOTTLES MADE - GOLD WAX TOP / ALL BOTTLES NUMBERED (no letter prefix)
• Frankfort Bottling #2 - 2003: 900* BOTTLES MADE - GOLD WAX TOP / ALL BOTTLES NUMBERED (no letter prefix)
  
• Frankfort Bottling #3 - 2005 (DEC.) & 2006 (JAN.): 2800* TOTAL BOTTLES MADE - GOLD WAX TOP / ALL BOTTLE NUMBERS BEGIN WITH PREFIX "A"
  
• Frankfort Bottling #4 (2007) to Present Bottlings: ALL PAPPY 23 BOTTLES HAVE GOLD FOIL TOPS
  

* approximate number produced

Data Sources: Vodka Emporium review of PVW 23, 10/7/09; straight bourbon.com; bourbon blog.com; PVW website (2006); Sku's Recent Eats L.A. Food & Whiskey Blog 11/21/11"

[p_elliott]

Wheatfield You're going to drink the contents of that bottle. Refill it with JBW and reseal it with gold wax that you conspired with Julian Van Winkle to get, and sell it to highest bidder that you get from the ad you currently have on EBay. You ingenious devil.

Edited July 24, 2012 by p_elliott