Van Winkle Decides Not to Announce Shipments This Year

[DeanSheen]

I disagree that these would be bargains at twice the price.

That post was sarcasm. (I ain't no pappyphile!)

[Trey Manthey]

Prices here last year from the two retailers by me (and one in Florida) were:

10/90 and 10/107 ~$45

Lot B $53

PVW15 $57

PVW20 $99

PVW23 $200

I've never seen the rye on the shelf.

[timd]

10/90 and 10/107 ~$45

Lot B $53

PVW15 $57

PVW20 $99

PVW23 $200

I've never seen the rye on the shelf.

Pretty close to the same prices here in North Texas, we're a couple of dollars higher on 12 ($55) & 15 ($59). Rye runs ~$50 usually (it's the cheapest besides Old Rip).

That said, there's a few stores that jack up the prices on the 15 to $89, and the 20yr to $150.

[Bmac]

Pretty close to the same prices here in North Texas, we're a couple of dollars higher on 12 ($55) & 15 ($59). Rye runs ~$50 usually (it's the cheapest besides Old Rip).

That said, there's a few stores that jack up the prices on the 15 to $89, and the 20yr to $150.

I must be amazingly pathetic because I bought my last Lot B offthe shelf for 79 . It's sad but it was the only store that could hook me up.

[timd]

I bought my last Lot B offthe shelf for 79 .

[nocoins]

I just checked the pricing -- the Lot B is the only one I'll still consider buying at those prices. Even so, whenever I go back and forth between Lot B and MM46, I'm not quite sure how much better the Lot B is for the additional $20. I doubt I'll buy either the 10/107 or the 15 for a good while. Where I am, until this spring, the 10/107 was $29.99, and the 15 was $57.99. I have some of each, and between the price rise and all the BS, I think I'll pass.

[Josh]

I just checked the pricing -- the Lot B is the only one I'll still consider buying at those prices. Even so, whenever I go back and forth between Lot B and MM46, I'm not quite sure how much better the Lot B is for the additional $20. I doubt I'll buy either the 10/107 or the 15 for a good while. Where I am, until this spring, the 10/107 was $29.99, and the 15 was $57.99. I have some of each, and between the price rise and all the BS, I think I'll pass.

Where were you? 2007?

[White Dog]

Where were you? 2007?

[compliance]

The msrp of the Pappy line is hardly the problem. It's not like there's vast amounts of other 15 year old bourbons on sale for less than $79.99. Paying $40 for a 10 year old looks only slightly worse, but my last two bottles of 10/107 have been so good I can hardly complain about what they cost either. Personally I find lot B to be the one that's not worth the money.

[Bmac]

There never seems to be consensus where pappy is concerned. . It's probably why it's such an entertaining topic. I havent had the 10yr, the 20 or 23. So the 15yr I have is the bar by which I judge all other bourbons. The 12yr took months of air time before I found it pallatable. I expect the 10yr to be the same,especially since it's BT Weller distillate. The OWA and Weller12 required airtime as well.

[CaptainQ]

There never seems to be consensus where pappy is concerned.

[Bmac]

The Lot B is the one bottle I can take the foil off of, uncork it and have everyone who's tried it thinks it's the best bourbon they ever had.

[CaptainQ]

I must just be unlucky. I took the foil off my PVW15 and my socks blown off from the get go. GTS and WLW were the same. Lot B just tasted like a slightly better version of Weller 12. It was overly hot and prickly with little to no flavor. Might as well have had a glass of rubbing alcohol.

6+ months later it's tasty with all the velvety smooth sweetness, caramel, vanilla and cinnamon I want.

I do have another theory. Could be that only.recently began to develop my pallette. However, I still say airtime helps.

Were these recent bottlings of Lot B or just what you've noticed in the past?

[Bmac]

Don't get me wrong as I believe some airtime helps all wheaters, but it seems as though the Lot B has many variables with each years bottling slightly different.

I haven't opened any new bottles, most of the ones I've opened were from '09.

Ahha! The plot thickens . My bottle is from fall.2011. I have read reviews that past bottlings are better. I can only report on what I have and what I've experienced. I had such high hopes for Lot B when I got it, you cant imagine my disappointment when it didnt match my expectations.

[Dolph Lundgren]

Don't get me wrong as I believe some airtime helps all wheaters, but it seems as though the Lot B has many variables with each years bottling slightly different.

I haven't opened any new bottles, most of the ones I've opened were from '09.

Yup. I've killed two bottle of Lot B over the last year, one last Sunday (celebrating a Lions and Tigers win) and one 6 months ago. One bottle was from fall 2011 and the other was a spring 2012. The spring bottle was suprisingly better, like smooth maple syrup. The fall bottle was a little sharp, and spicy for a wheater. FYI, both bottles were empty within several hours (I was sharing) and were not allowed air time. I do feel that a little oxidation goes a long way with many bourbons.

[berto]

Today on facebook and twitter Old Rip announced "shipments to the wholesalers will begin going out in the next few weeks. Inventory will make its way to stores a week or two after that." They asked that specific questions, I'm assuming of the where and when type, be sent direct message on facebook.

[benpearson]

Here is my tip for "finding" van winkle.

Step 1

Go to a respected liquor store.

Step 2

Start buying all of your bourbon there.

Step 3

Learn the manager's name

Step 4

Spend more money there and let them know that you have an interest in bourbon.

Step 5

Make sure the manager learns your name.

Step 6

When Pappy shows up he will probably tell you and have a bottle set aside for you...right next to a list of people that he has never met and will never see again that have called and asked for it. This is the do not sell list. A liquor store chain will quickly determine who should be on this list by comparing who has called multiple stores.

A good store of any kind knows their regulars, will make recommendations, and set aside the best for those people. When I ask for a filet at the local butcher shop, he always gives me a center cut...the next person in line is getting lesser cuts for the same price. It's one of many perks of being a regular.

[Wryguy]

Did all of the above and got a call this morning from my local retailer that a case of VWFRR had come in and they had a bottle for me. Too bad the price doubled, from 70 to 140. Needless to say I backed out. I'm now cursing his name. This is a perfect example of why I will not pursue VW ever again. There is no rhyme or reason to it, and I prefer my bottle of Ritt25 anyway.

[squire]

Loyalty is a two way street and a store can't pay it's bills off the sale of Van Winkle products alone.

[Halifax]

Some days my local grocer has Coke for .99 cents. Other days they have it for $1.49. It's the nature of retail...

Van Winkle ain't what it use to be... So I why should I let it ruffle my feathers anymore? If the newbies, sheep and wannabes want to piss their money away... Let them. That said... It really is not that difficult to find a bottle of ORVW/PVW bourbon. All it takes is a little effort, and ground work. The rye is a different story all together...

...but it seems as though the Lot B has many variables with each years bottling slightly different...

[Trey Manthey]

I've found that a little ham-fisted flattery goes a long way towards getting Van Winkle. Every time I walk through my local retailer's door, I search out the owner and make sure to tell him how nice he looks, or that he smells good, or ask if he's been working out. I ask to see pictures of his family so I can compliment them too, but I think he is humble, so he doesn't show me. Every time he says something, I laugh loudly so he feels cool and funny around me.