Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 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: 20 years

Bottled: 2020

Proof: 90.4

Finish: None

This is the most award winning bourbon in the world. It achieved a 99 point score at The World Spirits Championships, when it was released as the first ever 20 year old bourbon. It is also 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 $5,000 on the internet. My bottle was released in 2020, but where was it distilled? Nobody quite knows. 2000 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. Either way, it's different from the original juice which scored 99 points.

Color: Amber to Auburn

Body: Full, clings to the glass, legs run a little longer

Nose: Burnt sugar, creme brulee, lots of vanilla, sugar cookie

Palate: Christmas in a glass, fruitcake, dried cherries, dates, raisins, dried apricots, sugar plums, sweetness matches nose, not as spicy, but some Christmas spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, less oak than expected, slight tobacco, water brings more cherry and dried fruits

Finish: Medium to long, smooth, fruity, the dessert remains

Score: Ace

Song: Christmas Eve (Sarajevo) - Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra

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 20. I'd enjoyed a pour in a bar before, but never an entire bottle. I had to build my collection for Bourbon Roxx. It wasn't reasonably priced at all, but I had to do it, because this is perhaps the best bourbon in the world. How does it compare to the remaining Van Winkle bourbons? You'll have to watch the Pappy flight video. I will say this. You drink bourbons on different days, and your opinions may change somewhat. It might be a subtle difference, but it might change your rankings. Either way, this bourbon is exceptional, just like every Van Winkle expression. It's less complex than its older brothers, but it's smoother, sweeter and easier to drink. There is less oak and less spice, and there is much more fruit. This is truly Christmas in a glass. Fruitcake is not the greatest dessert, but in a bourbon, fruitcake is absolutely delicious. The dried cherries, dates, raisins and apricots mingle with the light spice of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and allspice, while they permeate the wheated base of the cake itself. This bourbon will warm you up like a holiday party. Hence, I suggest pairing it with Christmas Eve (Sarajevo) by Savatage, who evolved as Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Only a handful of bourbons in the world can compete with this. 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.