Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 15 Years Old

Producer: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Unknown (maybe a blend of remaining Stitzel-Weller, remaining Old Boone and new Bernheim distillate)

Age: 15 years

Bottled: 2013

Proof: 107

Finish: None

This is the youngest of the true "Pappy's". It is also the first one to enter the market, though it was originally called Old Rip Van Winkle 15. Like its older brothers, it is one of the most sought after bourbons in the world. If you win this in a lottery, you are a very lucky individual. If you don't, be prepared to pay around $3,000 on the internet. My bottle was released in 2013, but where was it distilled? Nobody quite knows. 1998 was no man's land in Van Winkle history. The Stitzel-Weller distillery had closed in 1992. Distillation at Buffalo Trace didn't begin until 2002. The Van Winkle family had likely depleted their remaining Stitzel-Weller stock and their stock from the defunct Old Boone distillery. They were aging new whiskey that was made at the Bernheim distillery. Whatever stock they had was transferred to Buffalo Trace. Chances are this bottle was distilled at Bernheim.

Color: Burnt sienna

Body: Medium

Nose: More grain, like corn bread and wheat bread fighting it out, corn muffin vs. pancake, no fruit

Palate: Little earthiness, Earl Grey tea, bergamot, citrus, moldy oak, not sweet or spicy, more herbal, maybe a touch of maple, almost breakfast like, water brings some minty notes

Finish: Medium, still earthy, leather

Score: Ace

Song: Loving You Sunday Morning - Scorpions

I slowly collected my full line of Van Winkle bourbons, and they occupy the most exclusive shelf in my bourbon collection. This is my first bottle of Pappy 15. I purchased it around the same time as my Pappy 20 and Pappy 23, but somehow, I got a bottle that was released much earlier. There can be some variation from year to year, and perhaps 2013 wasn't the best year for Pappy 15. My experience wasn't as stellar as some reviews I've read on the internet. Don't get me wrong. This is still a mighty fine bourbon, but it doesn't compare to its older brothers. It's grain forward with little in the way of sweetness or spiciness. However, it truly shows the differences between corn and wheat. Immediately, there is a competition between corn muffins and pancakes, maple and bergamot. There is a distinct earthiness to this bourbon, which may come from the exposure to the elements, during the curing of the oak used to make the barrel in which this bourbon was aged. That's just my theory. Personally, I don't find older Pappy's to be over oaked. One of the mystical properties of Pappy Van Winkle is its ability to hide its age through the sweetness of the caramelized oak, but you have to start with good oak. Still, I find this bourbon interesting for its breakfast like quality. Hence, I suggest pairing it with Loving You Sunday Morning by Scorpions, as you enjoy a pancake breakfast, with maple syrup aged in bourbon barrels. You can still acquire this bourbon, but you'll pay a lot for it. It's released annually, so enter the lottery if you can.