Pappy 23 Dec. 2005 Release - Frankfort Bottling

[ProofPositive]

One of these days, it would be interesting to know who actually purchased the lowest numbered bottle of the December issue. If the first run ended at approximately #A1400, then maybe have a couple of the early ones from the January issue in #A1444 & #A1459(?). Not that important though....just fun & trivial stuff to roll around in my empty head sometimes.

Wayne

[ProofPositive]

the disappointment of seeing the Colts losing that just had my neurons firing a little off.

Less than 24 hours ago, I was celebrating the end of the Patriot's tyrannical reign and ready to usher in a new age......and then this happens. What a bummer!!

Now I definitely have a reason to tonight.

The only team left in this for me to pull for are the Panthers......GEAUX PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

[TNbourbon]

...have you opened any Pappy 23? I have not found your notes here so I was wondering if you have yet to taste it?

Oh, yes:

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23yo

[ProofPositive]

...have you opened any Pappy 23? I have not found your notes here so I was wondering if you have yet to taste it?

Oh, yes:

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23yo

Someday, I hope I will be able to share common ground with your glowing description and sentiments in regard to this fine & most excellent bourbon. Pappy 23 #1444 is currently at rest in the highest possible position of superiority right alongside my WT Tribute....both sharing equally on the throne ruling over my collection. At present, I can only stare at both bottles in awe & wonder.

How was I was fortunate enough to be able to bring both of these into my home? Truly, one of the greatest blessings in bourbondom and life.

WB

[ChuckMick]

If the first run ended at approximately #A1400, then maybe have a couple of the early ones from the January issue in #A1444 & #A1459(?).

Some more insight into the numbering scheme.

I have a bottle of Pappy 23 bought in December (12-21-2005)before Christmas that had a bottle number of A1560. Given that the entire production run in Dec was 1400 bottles I am not sure how they came to number the bottles.

For what it's worth

ChuckMick

[RedVette]

My bottle is on its way.

While I was at it I had my favorite mailorder house throw in two bottles of Sazerac 18 and one Van Winkle Family Rye

[doubleblank]

Many here already know this story, but with all the hoopla over the new Pappy 23, I have to retell the story once again.

One of the premier events at the Fest is the Gala......fine dining, dancing, and drinking with the Master Distillers. Following the Gala, many show up at the Gazebo. Those of us who don't go to the Gala.......we make a night of it at the Gazebo. Anyway, about the time Julian arrives following the Gala, I bring out a David Nicholson from the '70's....old SW whiskey...pristine, stil in the box....to share with Doug, Tim et al at the Gazebo. Julian is about to open it for us when he says he'd like to have it for his collection and would trade me a Pappy 23 when he bottles it in December. Before I can say yes, he says he has one unopened bottle he prepared for pouring at the Gala.....Pappy 22 1/2 so to speak. Pulled from a barrel that would be bottled in Dec 2005. So I ended up with a Pappy 23 (not quite 23), signed by Julian, un-numbered and no rear label. Gold wax top.....and from a single barrel.

I'll buy a Pappy 23 when I find one for comparison down the road.

Randy

[ProofPositive]

If the first run ended at approximately #A1400, then maybe have a couple of the early ones from the January issue in #A1444 & #A1459(?).

Some more insight into the numbering scheme.

I have a bottle of Pappy 23 bought in December (12-21-2005)before Christmas that had a bottle number of A1560. Given that the entire production run in Dec was 1400 bottles I am not sure how they came to number the bottles.

For what it's worth

ChuckMick

That is interesting. Maybe more was bottled & numbered in December than we assumed. I don't know how distilleries decide to release and pack numbered bottles.....probably just at random. Perhaps the Pappy 23 release was evenly split (between Dec & Jan @ 1400 & 1400) but no set order as to the numerical distribution of the bottles. Now, I am beginning to confuse myself.

As you say - FWIW. Nothing but trivia, not important in the big picture. Important thing is that we have it!!!

[Virus_Of_Life]

Yes it seems to quick for those January bottles to be hitting the stores so maybe there was more than 1400 or they used a staggered numbering system, who knows? Either way #A1560 pre-Christmas is obviously not a January bottle... I am sure in good time we'll know for sure what is going on.

[ProofPositive]

Yes it seems to quick for those January bottles to be hitting the stores so maybe there was more than 1400 or they used a staggered numbering system, who knows? Either way #A1560 pre-Christmas is obviously not a January bottle... I am sure in good time we'll know for sure what is going on.

I wonder if the Pappy 23s were numbered in actual order of bottling as they descended off the production line, OR, were they just numbered at random after all were bottled?

The only person(s) who would possibly know the answer is Julian and/or whomever he assigned the duty to assign numbers to the bottles. Just a guess/hunch on my part....but, in all likelihood, Julian was probably right there personally overseeing the entire process as this very special bourbon was bottled, labeled, numbered and cased. I would be very interested to know the answer to the question since I was most fortunate to acquire a very low bottle number earlier today from my retailer in Memphis.

Wayne

[jvanwinkle]

You guys are driving yourselves crazy with this numbered labels thing!

All the labels are numbered before bottling. We take a guess as to how much whiskey we will have to bottle before the bottling begins. The labels are numbered usually weeks in advance of bottling. As they are bottled, already numbered labels are applied to the bottles. Sometimes the label crew grabs a bunch of labels & also grabs some high numbers by mistake. That's why there may be a few A1,450s out there. Both the December & January bottlings will have an "A" on the label.

I imagine the next time we bottle, we'll start with a "B".

Hope this answers a few questions.

Julian

[ProofPositive]

You guys are driving yourselves crazy with this numbered labels thing!

Awww!...and we were just beginning to have some fun! Hey, I was only trying to start some new bourbon legend and lore.

Kidding aside, thanks Julian for the info and putting the matter to rest. We appreciate the explanation and it all makes a lot more sense now. Thanks for taking the time to straighten us out! But......thank you most for the 23!!!

Wayne

[Virus_Of_Life]

Sorry about that Julian, I think the original concern may have been 'lost in translation.' That more than anything was just whether or not all the bottles were either in the stores on the shelves or in the distributers hands already, or if there was still bottles yet to leave the distillery? That was where the questioning of the numbering came in...

Bottom line I am looking forward to getting my bottle.

[BobA]

Reminds me of an English class when, after a lot of discussion about the true, deep, meaning of a certain word, the teacher said "well, the poet was interviewed recently, and when asked, said he used that word because he thought it was a damn good rhyme."

Bob

[ProofPositive]

Reminds me of an English class when, after a lot of discussion about the true, deep, meaning of a certain word, the teacher said "well, the poet was interviewed recently, and when asked, said he used that word because he thought it was a damn good rhyme."

Bob

[RedVette]

A475 arrived today.

[RedVette]

A475 arrived today.

...and it is delicious.

[Virus_Of_Life]

Oh, yes:

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23yo

Bummer that link appears to be broke or something. Was that a past release or the current release?

[TNbourbon]

Bummer that link appears to be broke or something. Was that a past release or the current release?

Here it is again. It worked originally, but seems to have a duplicated string of characters now (I think these new forums may use a different naming protocol, too), and I get a "your post is too short" message when I try to correct it:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4086

[Virus_Of_Life]

Thanks! So obviously those were from previous release(s) to the December/January bottling. I am sure the recent will be, and is from what I am reading, every bit as good.

[Brennan77]

I am happy to report I just got word from my local store that I will have two bottles of Pappy 23 set aside for me as of tomorrow. Best part is my uncle is paying. We were tasting a little of his 20 year old a few months ago. He promised to buy 2 bottles, one for me, one for him if I were able to locate them. It's time to pay up!

I can't wait to try this one out.

[ProofPositive]

I am happy to report I just got word from my local store that I will have two bottles of Pappy 23 set aside for me as of tomorrow.

I now have an extra bottle that is expendable.....my cup runneth over! If anyone is interested or knows of someone who may be in need, please send me a PM for more details.

Wayne

[Rancastle]

The Trace is bottling Pappy 23 today!

[Brennan77]

Oh, for the record, I received bottles A224 and A927. The cashier looked at me like I was nuts when she told me the total.

[ProofPositive]

Oh, for the record, I received bottles A224 and A927. The cashier looked at me like I was nuts when she told me the total.

I also got some raised eyebrows when the register rang up mine. She said that nobody ever bought anything that expensive by the bottle except champagne. I told her this was better than champagne. She remarked, "it better be for your sake".....while staring at the wedding ring on my left hand.