Last time for S-W PVW23

[T Comp]

And I'll add to the atmosphere by bringing back for your regret and sentimenality :grin: a thread from 1999 when Julian was floating the idea of private barrel purchases of 10 year for $1,200 in post #3 http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?11-barrel-investing&highlight=sam%27s+van+winkle+bottling.

And then Julian back in 2003 assuring the SB folk that the cask strength 20 year Sams bottling should sell for around $100 at posts 6,18 and 20. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?1602-Sam-s-Bottling-20-Year-Old-Van-Winkle-Bourbon&highlight=sam%27s+van+winkle+bottling

I choose to never throw any darts at the man either...he's given me too much joy and pleaure.

[barturtle]

He says Weller is a young version of PVW, I say PVW (with the possible exception of current 20&23) is a more expensive hyped-up version of Weller.

It's simply a different expression. Different proofs, different ages. Some expressions of many bourbons throughout the years have been more expensive, harder to find, etc.

[LostBottle]

Part of the "hard work" performed by Mr VW has been to make everyone believe the bottles contain more old SW juice than they probably do.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

You may have. I think Chuck's piece for WA is what you are thinking of. JVWIII said this years 23s are already in bottle from the last run but after that it will be a vatting. But he also said the 15 was a vatting of three where Preston on the K&L podcast said the 15 was all BT. So who knows for sure. Buy it if you like it and can get it at a price you are willing to pay.

I was told a year ago that they had about a two year supply of 23 left and that it was already bottled.

[politely]

I like this expression quite a lot. Unfortunately, the price and rarity make it difficult to crack a bottle. Mentally, this only makes it more difficult to open. I guess the marketing works.

[portwood]

Part of the "hard work" performed by Mr VW has been to make everyone believe the bottles contain more old SW juice than they probably do.

The "hard work" now includes hawking clothing (probably made in China) to people who can't get a bottle of Buffalo Trace whiskey labeled with a photo of his grandfather.

[squire]

I had to click on that clothing site and discovered even if I can't get a bottle of the whisky I can get a belt for only $165.00.

[portwood]

I had to click on that clothing site and discovered even if I can't get a bottle of the whisky I can get a belt for only $165.00.

Didn't spend too much time reading but when I saw that I thought: must be leather dipped in pvw 23

[portwood]

Instead of $28 for the t-shirts, just think how much they could charge for them if the labels were scratch & sniff. Each t-shirt could have a photo of the bottle and the label dipped in the corresponding aged whiskey.

[smokinjoe]

It's an interesting arrangement where the Pappy clothing line that Portwood referenced above is a entity seemingly owned and operated by the Van Winkle family. No mention of Buffalo Trace. I wonder if the VW's have maintained full control of the name, including ORVW Distillery, and can do whatever they want with it? Or, did/does BT have to sign off on everything? I wonder how all of that works.

On a side note, the set of 4 rocks glasses are quite handsome.

[portwood]

On a side note, the set of 4 rocks glasses are quite handsome.

... and rather expensive - unless they rinse them with PVW whiskey before they are packaged.

[Smithford]

did/does BT have to sign off on everything?

I didn't see any polo shirts, so I don't think so.

[MyOldKyDram]

Sally Van Winkle Campbell do the needlepoint on that belt herself? With hairs from Pappy's head and beard?

[mbroo5880i]

I would give $100 for one bottle of Pappy, the set of rocks glasses and a t-shirt.

[joboyd]

The t-shirts, in my opinion, are of really cheap quality. They could've used a much better brand that would almost--almost!--justify charging $20+ for a shirt.

[Nillion]

On a side note, the set of 4 rocks glasses are quite handsome.

There's no reason rocks glasses of that price should have a lip that large on them. One of my huge pet peeves when it comes to glassware. Give me straight rims or give me death.

[DeanSheen]

The man is pretty damn smartluckyhardworking. :toast:

Lets not forget 'skilled at picking wombs'.

[jjk]

I did chuckle to myself that the two pictures on the front page showing the Van Winkles drinking what I am assuming to be Pappy show them drowning it in ice cubes. The picture with the womens' feet shows a bottle of PVW20 and a glass on the rocks. The picture with the four dudes show them toasting with their bourbon on the rocks. Doesn't the neck tag on PVW20 recommend "drinking neat or with a small amount of water if you must"? I know I got the actual verbiage wrong, but I think it is something like that.

Don't get me wrong - I am a believer in people drinking their bourbons however they want. Just thought it was kind of funny...

[smokinjoe]

I did chuckle to myself that the two pictures on the front page showing the Van Winkles drinking what I am assuming to be Pappy show them drowning it in ice cubes. The picture with the womens' feet shows a bottle of PVW20 and a glass on the rocks. The picture with the four dudes show them toasting with their bourbon on the rocks. Doesn't the neck tag on PVW20 recommend "drinking neat or with a small amount of water if you must"? I know I got the actual verbiage wrong, but I think it is something like that.

Don't get me wrong - I am a believer in people drinking their bourbons however they want. Just thought it was kind of funny...

You got half of it correct. Neck tag reads: "Try this bourbon neat or if you must, over a little ice."

[JVande]

I will say that I purchased a two koozies, trucker hat, and a set of rocks glasses (received them Saturday). All of those items were top notch quality, very satisfied. Come on now, no tax and free shipping to Texas, it was a no brainer! And Yes, there are at least 4 tiers of koozie hierarchy, this one is between 3 and 4.

[Kalessin]

I did chuckle to myself that the two pictures on the front page showing the Van Winkles drinking what I am assuming to be Pappy show them drowning it in ice cubes. The picture with the womens' feet shows a bottle of PVW20 and a glass on the rocks. The picture with the four dudes show them toasting with their bourbon on the rocks. Doesn't the neck tag on PVW20 recommend "drinking neat or with a small amount of water if you must"? I know I got the actual verbiage wrong, but I think it is something like that.

Don't get me wrong - I am a believer in people drinking their bourbons however they want. Just thought it was kind of funny...

In marketing image terms, "any amber liquid with ice in a rocks glass" describes... implies... MEANS... "whiskey". They don't want you thinking it's iced tea or honey or light machine oil or anything like that.

[Russellc]

All good things come to an end, and SW is no exception. I have been fortunate to have consumed more than quite a few 20 yr Family Reserves and quite a few 12 yr Lot B bottles over the years. The Lot B shows they can make good whiskey sans SW, but I for one will not pay the huge price for the 20 and 23 year stuff once it isnt SW. Perhaps other whiskey maybe as tasty (hard to believe) but it isnt as rare (as in non existant)....Something rubs me wrong about mixing down what is left of SW, but that isnt my call.

Russellc

[squire]

I for one will not pay the huge price for the 20 and 23 year stuff once it isnt SW. Perhaps other whiskey maybe as tasty (hard to believe) but it isnt as rare (as in non existant)....Something rubs me wrong about mixing down what is left of SW, but that isnt my call.

I have to agree with Russell here, even if the new versions turn out to be an improvement we've gotten away from what made the brand special in the first place.

[HighInTheMtns]

I haven't been around long enough to know the answer...

Did Van Winkle create the Stitzel-Weller craze or vice-versa?

[squire]

The media created the craze. Pappy was the right product in the right place at the right time.