My first Pappy Van Winkle 15/107

[Big Chipper]

I finally decided to splurge and go large with the Pappy 15. Spending $50 on a bottle of bourbon was a definite sphincter clincher, since the most I'd spent prior to that was $35 on a bottle of Baker's. Got it home and had a small pour...WOW! That is some great stuff...all toffee and apples in the nose, complex taste with some vanilla and caramel bursting through the strength of the alchohol...long, warm finish. I immediately compared it with some others I had on hand. The Eagle Rare 10yr SB was green and thin comparatively speaking...definite rye spiciness that was absent from the Pappy. I then had a small amount of Weller Antique 107, which to me was an immature version of the Pappy...not nearly as complex, but some of the underlying tastes were there (vanilla and caramel). For the final comparison, I pulled out my new favorite, the 1969 Old Cabin Still. For me, I love what I get from this stuff...bananas in the nose, vanilla and orange with some oakiness in the taste, and a long, thick finish. You can tell these are of the same wheated background. The Pappy just tastes more refined and a bit more complex. The old Stitzel Weller recipe Old Cabin Still kinda knocks you over...no subtlety here. I'm definitely a fan of the Pappy...only wish it were cheaper.

Question...since it's 15 years old, that would mean it was bottled in 1990 or 1991 depending on shelf life. Is it SW, or was all of that stock gone by then?

[Sijan]

Yes, the Pappy 15 is Stitzel-Weller bourbon.

[gothbat]

IWeller Antique 107, which to me was an immature version of the Pappy

I too found similarity between the OW107 and the ORVW10 and PVW15. The OW was almost, but not quite as it made me want to pop open one of my VW’s, as good. From what I’ve tasted I think the OW107 (unfortunately the only of this OW line I’ve tried so far) is closer than any other bourbon to the VW line. I know you think the price is high but at least you didn’t pay ebay prices (w/shipping & handling of course) for it.

[Exdimmerjock]

I got spoiled in the late 60's down in Dixie, drinking SW Rebel Yell. God I miss those days. I have tried them all, but I'll be damned if I will pay $50 dollars for a bottle of whiskey, well at least more than once. I like George Dickel, anything wrong with that? Ricardo

[TimmyBoston]

Chip, I hope you enjoy your Pappy, it's a great bottling and with it's relatively high taste of oak, it also holds up extremely well to cigars. The two make a very nice pair you may wish to try. I really enjoy the Pappy 15, and I'm sure you will continue to enjoy yours as well. :grin: Also as far as I know all Pappy 15 to date is SW. Also it would have been barrelled in 90-91 time frame, not bottled. :cool:

Ricardo, there's nothing at all wrong with Dickel, I'm glad you like it, but some people here myself included like to experiment with other whiskies as well and there's nothing wrong with that either. Keep drinking what you want, enjoy!

[Mr. Smith]

you must mean barreled in '90 - '91??