Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

Firstly, With all those non-producing distillers in America, we could consider a large part of the OBs as actually being ‘independent bottlers’ indeed. I remember there used to be talks about bourbons being allowed to use refill wood, quite some years ago. It doesn’t seem that that ever occurred, as far as I know, or are they still talking? That would be earth-shattering indeed! Burt let’s not speculate and rather try a few indies, let’s see what we have. But first, a little aperitif.

This one’s still from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery that was closed in 1992 and not from Buffalo Trace, according to many bourbon connoisseurs (sadly, I’m not one of them – at all). I’m sure I’m the very last whisky ‘blogger’ in the world to try this edition of this famous baby, but the latest news about some cases being ‘stolen’ was too good an occasion. Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

Colour: orange amber. Nose: there’s no denying, this is superb. It’s a very easy and sexy kind of soft nose that you just cannot resist unless you’re averse to maple syrup, honeydew, coconut, rosewater, soft sweet curry and chocolate. I think only die-hard wet blankets wouldn’t like this nose. Let’s only hope it’s not sweetish on the palate. Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old Family Reserve

Mouth: it’s sweet, but it’s not ‘too’ sweet. More pineapple liqueur – it is a little liqueury, or pina-colada-ish – and even touches of – hope you won’t kill me for writing this – Southern Comfort. Oriental pastries, orange blossom water, almonds, these touches of grenadine or even geranium syrup that I sometimes find in bourbon and a very moderate oakiness. Impeccable.

Finish: maybe not the longest but the sweet spiciness is most pleasant. A funny earthy/rooty touch in the aftertaste. And caraway? Comments: I think just everyone in the house would enjoy this lovely and very easy whiskey. Even the cat and the goldfish.