Stitzel Weller Pappy vs Buffalo Trace Pappy

[BourbonGuy]

Seeing that Pappy is difficult to find, I was wondering if anyone ever took a Stitzel Weller 15 year 107 Pappy and compared it to a Buffalo Trace 15 year old 107 Pappy. While I would assume Julian Van Winkle tries to maintain the same flavor profile, I wonder how close he is able to come.

Also, this my be a very silly question: Bourbon's has been gaining momentum for quite some time. Shouldn't there be at least more Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 107 hitting the shelves by now.

[B.B. Babington]

SW and BT pappy's, be it 20yo or lot B or whatever, are both very good. They are significantly different, each having their advantages. Maybe catch some flak here from the purists, but I found the 20yo transition SW/BT blend to be very very good as it gave the best of both.

[nd2005]

Seeing that Pappy is difficult to find, I was wondering if anyone ever took a Stitzel Weller 15 year 107 Pappy and compared it to a Buffalo Trace 15 year old 107 Pappy. While I would assume Julian Van Winkle tries to maintain the same flavor profile, I wonder how close he is able to come.

Also, this my be a very silly question: Bourbon's has been gaining momentum for quite some time. Shouldn't there be at least more Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 107 hitting the shelves by now.

It's 2015. 2015 minus 10 equals 2005

By even the most generous estimates, the "boom" started around 2010. You could buy even the most unicorn of unicorns back then for MSRP nearly year round.

[BourbonGuy]

I remember reading Jimmy Russell saying he noticed the increase in though 90's. However, I am fine with using 2005.

B. B. Bab, post is interesting "significantly different, each having their advantages'

[fricky]

I believe the "new" Pappy 15 is inferior. In fact, when I first tasted it a little over a year ago in the gazebo, I thought it was terrible. A couple years ago, I hosted a blind tasting which included Pappy 15 and Weller Antique. Half of the tasters preferred the Weller Antique. If I had the chance to buy any Pappy, I would do so only to sell it to the people that crave it and pay ridiculous prices.

[smokinjoe]

I believe the "new" Pappy 15 is inferior. In fact, when I first tasted it a little over a year ago in the gazebo, I thought it was terrible. A couple years ago, I hosted a blind tasting which included Pappy 15 and Weller Antique. Half of the tasters preferred the Weller Antique. If I had the chance to buy any Pappy, I would do so only to sell it to the people that crave it and pay ridiculous prices.

Interesting notes on the 15 yr, Doug. I can't say I remember anything either way on any recent 15's I've tasted, but the 10 yr iterations over the last 2 years have been quality whiskies, IMO. They carry that syrupy burnt sugar profile of a good OWA, but with enough oak backbone to up the complexity and interest factor...without going into sooty W12 year territory.

For my dollar, if BT can maintain that profile on the 10, it will be worthy of carrying the name.

[Auracom]

Agree Joe... of the bottom three in the series (10, 12, 15) I have preferred the 10 yr the past few years. PVW15 has fallen the furthest. My B13 was decent at first and then the bottom completely dropped out on it. Never had another American whiskey fall flat like that after opening.

[T Comp]

The 15 from '13 was far from the traditional 15 VW profile and call it terrible too, for what it's supposed to be. Surprised how this bottling escaped negativity from the media opinion makers. I haven't tasted the '14 or '15 so not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. The 10 from '12, '13 and '14 are delicious, much better than W 12, but had some single barrel OWAs that could substitute.

[RWBadley]

I have compared SBS Pappy 15 from '09 and '13.

To be fair, the '09 had been open longer and was down in the bottle about 1/2.

I detected the '13 to have quite a bit more solvent-like fusel notes initially. After some air time it calmed down. It was good, but that vintage I felt did not have (nor attain) the round full richness of the '09. I am sure the BT versions have been good. I basically stopped chasing any of the Van Winkles when prices started escalating.

There is just too much good bourbon to buy at affordable prices.

[Flyfish]

Shouldn't there be at least more Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 107 hitting the shelves by now.

[tanstaafl2]

Shouldn't there be at least more Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 107 hitting the shelves by now.

It may well be that there could be more by now. But the question is do they want there to be more? Exclusivity, real or imagined, is no doubt helping drive this train.

Only question is when, or if, it will jump the tracks.

[BourbonGuy]

I don't have a bottle to open, but I am blown away by the replies on Pappy 15. Sad really. Without Pappy Van Winkle, I probably never would have started by bourbon journey. I would have missed a lot, so I do hold the Pappy in high reverence. Ahhh....the days when it was $50 and the store had 10 bottles of 15 and 5 bottles of 20.

[camduncan]

Interesting notes on the 15 yr, Doug. I can't say I remember anything either way on any recent 15's I've tasted, but the 10 yr iterations over the last 2 years have been quality whiskies, IMO. They carry that syrupy burnt sugar profile of a good OWA, but with enough oak backbone to up the complexity and interest factor...without going into sooty W12 year territory.

For my dollar, if BT can maintain that profile on the 10, it will be worthy of carrying the name.

You make me want to re-visit my open bottle of 10/107 Joe... I always felt I was missing something when I drank it, so since opening it 5 years ago and only one or two visits since, it's basically been sitting on the shelf gathering dust.

[Old Dusty]

For BT the 10/107 is the version to seek if you care to seek any IMO. The Lot B's from the last couple of years are nothing like the old versions and are MAYBE slightly better W12s. The 15's from '13 and '14 were a major letdown. The '13 in particular was medicinal and astringent. Have not tasted newer 20/23. BT has the 10 yr dialed in and while it's not S-W it is very good standing on its own.

[Louisiana]

for bt the 10/107 is the version to seek if you care to seek any imo. The lot b's from the last couple of years are nothing like the old versions and are maybe slightly better w12s. The 15's from '13 and '14 were a major letdown. The '13 in particular was medicinal and astringent. Have not tasted newer 20/23. Bt has the 10 yr dialed in and while it's not s-w it is very good standing on its own.

Heard this from quiet a few SBer's. Thought I was settling with orvw10's this year.

Could someone PM with info. about an awesome OWA store pick.

I want to SBS and see if there's much difference.