One of the first things to pop into any bourbon enthusiast’s mind when thinking of high-end spirits is Pappy Van Winkle. It is the most coveted whiskey on the market, often selling for up to 10 times its retail price. The wheated bourbon was a crucial brand to kickstart the current bourbon boom and has become a staple in any bourbon collector’s cabinet.

The legend of Pappy Van Winkle is an interesting one. Julian Van Winkle Sr. gained a tremendous amount of valuable bourbon-making experience both in the warehouse and as a businessman before, during and after Prohibition through his work at W.L. Weller & Sons and later as the president of Stitzel-Weller Distillery. He is credited with helping to shape the bourbon industry during and after prohibition, and his family has continued to operate and produce bourbon under the Old Rip Van Winkle label until the current day.

Today, the bourbon is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery and uses the same bourbon mash bill as the Weller brand. The difference between the two is that Weller bourbons are not aged longer than 15 years, while Old Rip Van Winkle bourbons are held in barrels for 23 years or more. The attention to detail with aging is very specific and the barrels are constantly monitored to ensure that they are not becoming over-oaked. If a barrel is thought to be over-oaked, it will be used for another product and the remaining contents will be bottled.

Obtaining a bottle of pappy van winkle for sale is not an easy task and requires serious planning, luck and perseverance. In many states, a bottle is only available through lottery or through liquor stores that receive allocations and can sell bottles to the public. In most cases, a person must be prepared to camp out and wait for the chance to buy a bottle as the allocation process varies from state to state.

If a person is successful in getting a bottle of pappy van winkle, it should be enjoyed as soon as possible. It is a very special whiskey and should be savored. This is especially true when the bourbon is in a snifter as it will allow for the full flavor of the bourbon to be experienced.

While there are plenty of other great bourbons out there, few can compete with the prestige of a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. If a person is lucky enough to be able to obtain a bottle, they should enjoy it with friends and celebrate the occasion. It is a bourbon that will never go out of style and will always be in demand.