The Bounty Bar’s Bourbon Selection is quite impressive. As most of you already know I am a whiskey woman. I love to talk whiskey … and taste whiskey. Sip, savor, repeat is the mantra. Lucky enough I work for a bunch of whiskey aficionados and a bourbon obsessed beverage director. So I get to put my hands on some of the rarest and best bourbons ever produced. Of course there are plenty of bourbons that stand out in our growing collection but anyone who admire’s America’s national spirit knows the name Pappy. Pappy Van Winkle that is. So come on baby let me talk pappy to you.
Why is Pappy Van winkle such a big deal in the whiskey world? First off it is a nationally iconic bourbon started a brilliant man, Julian Van Winkle Jr in 1935! Let that sink into you brain/liver. Mr. Winkle f made a career as a liquor salesman for WL Weller & Sons in Louisville. Julian P. Van Winkle distilled his first brands in Louisville at his own Stitzel-Weller Distillery. He became known as one of the finest distillers America had ever seen. While most bourbon is made from a mash of corn, rye and barley, the Van Winkle recipe calls for a sweeter mix of corn, wheat and barley malt. The wheat allows for more graceful aging. The Pappy brand was brought to fruition by Julian P. Vn Winkle,III. We all certainly all thank him for that. Known as one of the finest bourbons in the world, any bottle of Pappy Van Winkle is a rare find. What’s unknown is how many cases are available each year. I am proud to say Bounty we have four different styles of pappy at Bounty! Keep reading for the tasting notes!
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
This bourbon whiskey is bottled at nearly barrel proof. Just a splash of Kentucky limestone water is added after a decade of aging. Rich, yet smooth, this bourbon takes a back seat to none.
TASTING NOTES: A sweet vanilla nose with caramel, pecan and oak wood. Smooth, mellow flavor consisting of robust wheat, cherries and oak. Features a long, smoky wheat finish with hints of fruit, spice and oak tannins.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year
“A perfect combination of age and proof. The 12 years of aging and medium proof of 90.4 seem to be just right in creating a very pleasant drink of whiskey. This fine bourbon can compete with any excellent cognac as an after-dinner drink.” -Paul Pacult
TASTING NOTES: Highlighted by light aromas of dried mango, cocoa, fruit and spiced peach. Flavors of honey, oak and tobacco dance on the pallet. The finish is balanced and dry, with a lingering tingle.
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
Expressly produced according to the exclusive Van Winkle family wheated-recipe and specially selected from barrels in the heart of the aging warehouses, this bourbon remained undisturbed for 15 years to age in deep-charred heavy oak untouched by human hands, unhurried by time.
TASTING NOTES: An elegant and sweet aroma with caramel corn and vanilla. Features big flavor of leather, oak and complex fruitiness. Finishes smooth with notes of spice and oak tannins.
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year
The #1 rated Bourbon Whiskey in the world with a 99 out of 100 rating by the World Spirits Championship. This bourbon is aged 20 years and bottled at 90.4 proof for a wonderfully smooth and rich profile. Pappy Van Winkle was a true character and like its namesake, this bourbon whiskey is full of character – quite a remarkable whiskey.
TASTING NOTES: Intense and tantalizing. Smooth with a citrus zest note. Some sherry notes, dried fruits and vanilla. The finish is long and elegant.
