Murray’s Trip to Chicago & Notes for Pappy Van Winkle

[Quaich1]

Hi Folks. Here are my taste notes for my first experience with Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year 45.2% ABV

Color: Dark Amber

Nose: Lilacs floating in a river of buttermilk with rose flower petals drifting by. Mandarin oranges waft in with vanilla nougat flakes and honey nectar. A brush of smoke touches the sweetness and thickens on the olfactory sense.

Taste: Creamy smooth, full-bodied, a spice halo hovers over a sweet espresso crema with black cherries entwining with Australian black licorice. Lovely mouth feel, so meaty and voluptuous. Cherry menthol is exuded as the whisky opens and presents a delectable syrupy sweetness that goes to infinity. The theme is yet again enhanced with cherries jubilee and strawberry shortcake.

Finish: Long, anise melds with an intrinsic sweetness bulging with ripe fruit and crystallized demarara sugar. This continues to push the caboose of delightful sweet expressions so well-balanced.

Comments: The wheated component drives a cornucopia of candied fruits and generates a full package of enticing aromas and flavours.

Score: 97.5
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Innes]

That's a big score, I would love to try Pappy Van Winkle but it is difficult to get hold of here and not cgeap

[Grant M]

Never an easy whisky to get hold of at any age, at least on this side of the water. Sounds like it is worthy of its good reputation Quaich1.

[sorren]

A great review Murray.. It is certainly a bourbon worthy of such exuberance..

[lincoln imp]

I scored this 20 year at 77 points , the nose was very promising but the palate did not deliver, I got the 23 year at 80 points.
I should add that I am not a bourbon fan, the best bourbon I have tasted is an Old Joe 4 year from the 1960's
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Pour me a glass please.

[lincoln imp]

Just an edition to my last post but the 15 year is better than the 20 or 23 year, still not cheap but better value.
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Pour me a glass please.

[sorren]

Just shows how the whisky world is all about opinions..

[James T]

I do like an occasional bourbon and any Pappy Van Winkle expressions I have had the pleasure of I would rate highly.

[James T]

I do like an occasional bourbon and any Pappy Van Winkle expressions I have had the pleasure of I would rate highly.

[MajorThird]

i want to know about trendy whisky. i am having some stuff in my home also