As a bourbon connoisseur, the name ‘Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon’ might not be a stranger to you. Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon is one of the iconic brands in the world. And, the weird thing is, despite its low production, it commands staggering prices and remains the ultimate favorite for many enthusiasts. Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon traces its roots back to a beginning in the heart of Kentucky, the birthplace of bourbon. Established by Julian P. Van Winkle Sr. in the 19th century, the brand’s legacy spans generations, each contributing to its ability to break boundaries and continue its unparalleled reputation.
You might be familiar with this information about Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, but do you know how it reached the level of success and popularity it enjoys today? No? Well, that’s not surprising. That’s why Royal Batch has crafted this comprehensive blog post, which unravels the fascinating journey of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon.
‘The Story of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon is More than Just a Tale of a Beloved Spirit; it’s a Narrative Woven with History, Craftsmanship, and a Touch of Mystery.’
So, without further ado, let’s rewind to where it all began.
The Story of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon
Before Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon emerged as a standalone brand, there was a vast history that many of you may not even be aware of. Let’s start from the beginning.
Birth of Pappy Van Winkle and His Adulthood
The family of Julian Van Winkle’ Pappy’ was Dutch people who settled in New York City in the 18th century. In 1874, Julian Van Winkle was born in Danville, Kentucky, to John Van Winkle. Julian Van Winkle’s father, John Van Winkle, was a reputable local lawyer who also served as Kentucky’s Secretary of State. After a few years, Van Winkles migrated towards the west of the US. And it was a time when Julian started showing interest in his culture and tradition. Instead of following his father’s profession, Julian always wanted to do something of his own.
When he wasn’t even 20 years old, he got a job at William Larue Weller, a whiskey pioneer of his time. It was in 1893. It’s worth mentioning that William Larue Willer was the same person who helped Julian develop the wheat mash bill (which is still being used in the distillation of Van Winkle bourbons). Alongside working for William and his liquor distributors, he started traveling across the South and West as a salesman.
The Passing of Weller’s Business into the Hands of Julian Van Winkle
After William Larue Weller's death in 1909, his sons decided to pass their highly successful business to Van Winkle and Alex F. Farnsley.
[Additional Information: Alex F. Farnsley. Alex F. Farnsley played a significant role in making Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon a world-famous brand. He was a businessman and politician who later also became mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, from 1948 to 1953]
After the transfer of powers, Van Winkle and F. Farnsley started sourcing liquor from a famous distillery of that time—the Stitzel Brothers Distillery in Louisville. After a few years, they attained a big ownership stake in the Stitzel Brothers Distillery. Ultimately, they renamed the Stitzel Brothers Distillery the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Stitzel-Weller Distillery became one of the successful ventures of its time. The distillery’s signature brand, Old Fitzgerald, garnered widespread acclaim for its smoothness and distinctive flavor profile. The primary reason behind this distillery’s success is Pappy’s commitment to using only the finest ingredients and employing time-honored techniques. However, it wasn’t until after Prohibition that Pappy’s vision truly began to take shape.
Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Stitzel-Weller Distillery resumed production with renewed vigor. In 1935, Pappy opened a new distillery in Shipley, Kentucky, to expand his empire.
1960s: Reaching the Peak and Bringing Family into the Business
From the 1930s to the 1960s, Stitzel-Weller Distillery became a landmark in the liquor industry. As the 1960s started, Pappy was able to make his big empire, where he was the supreme, and he only aimed to create high-quality bourbons. During the same years, Pappy’s son, Julian Jr., joined the family business, bringing with him fresh ideas and a keen understanding of the contemporary tastes of American whiskeys. Also, Pappy’s son-in-law, King McClure, joined the team to contribute to the distillery. Even after having their son’s support, Pappy remained equally involved in the business due to his dedication to his work. However, the world lost its distillery maestro when Pappy passed away at the age of 91 in 1965.
Julian Proctor Van Winkle Jr. as a Leader at Stitzel-Weller Distillery
After his father’s death, Julian Proctor Van Winkle Jr. came forward as an emerging leader. You may know that in the early 1970s, the popularity of bourbon was declining rapidly. As a result, Van Winkle Jr. had to sell his bourbon business in 1972. Selling his bourbon business doesn’t mean he sold everything. Only the brands were sold off; the rest of the business, including the distillery, was still running. The distillery was renamed Old Fitzgerald Distillery in 1973, but it didn’t stick around for much time as it was closed in 1992.
[Additional Information: Diageo, an international beverage conglomerate, purchased Old Fitzgerald Distillery in 2014. The distillery was renovated to reopen it as a big tourist attraction. However, after a few years, the distillery was again rebranded as the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. As of now, this place is also a distillery where blends of brands like Blade and Harper are being made. The distillery is also open to visitors.]
Coming back to the main story,
After selling his business, Julian Proctor Van Winkle Jr. continued to sell whiskey. He even regained the rights to brand ‘Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon.’ However, he passed away soon after in 1981. In his leadership from 1972 to 1981, he made several efforts to keep the relevancy of Van Winkle’s business alive.
The Emergence of Julian Van Winkle III: A Turning Point
Following the death of Julian Proctor Van Winkle Jr, his son – Julian Van Winkle III emerged as a leader of the business. Van Winkle III always had a different approach when it came to business. Even after witnessing the low demand for bourbon in the 1980s, he decided to work on highly aged barrels. This was something that no other distillery wasn’t doing at that time. And, in 1994, there came Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve. The debut of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve was a turning point in the business.
[Additional Information: The Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve featured the photograph of his grandfather (Original Pappy) enjoying a premium cigar on its label].
After debuting the 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, Julian Van Winkle III debuted several successful editions in the next few years. The lineup includes Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15-Year-Old Bourbon, 23-Year-Old, Special Reserve, and more. With each passing year, the brand continued to reach a new level of success and popularity.
New Century, New Era, & New Strategies
In the early 2000s, Britney Spears in the music world and Van Winkle Distillery in the liquor industry were at the top of the world. Preston Van Winkle, Julian Van Winkle III’s son, joined the highly successful family business in 2001. Following year, in 2002, the brand Van Winkle Distillery entered into a contract with Buffalo Trace Distillery to produce more bourbons. The reason behind this partnership was the high demand for Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon on the market.
Where Does Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Stand Today? Throughout the 2010s-decade, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon received numerous awards and accolades from prestigious spirits competitions, making its reputation one of the world’s finest bourbons. Julian Van Winkle III is still a head of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. In the last two decades, Julian Van Winkle III has gained the respect of critics and the general public. That’s why he was among the most awarded people in the liquor industry for a few years. Some of his notable achievements are:
Recipient of the James Beard Award in 2011.
Whiskey Magazine’s Hall of Fame
2017 Whisky Magazine Award Recipient
Kentucky Bourbon Fall of Fame in 2022
Although his son Preston Van Winkle is heavily involved in the business, Julian Van Winkle III is officially only running it.
Different Expressions of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons & One Line-Review of Each by Royal Batch’s Expert
The brand offers several expressions, each with its own unique characteristics and aging profiles. Given below are the main types of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons.
1. Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year-Old
It is considered one of the entry-level expressions from the Pappy Van Winkle lineup.
One Line Review:
‘A classic bourbon with a balanced flavor profile and a smooth, approachable character.’
2. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15-Year-Old
If you love a wide range variety of flavors in bourbon, try this one. A highly recommended!!
One Line Review:
‘A luxurious bourbon with a depth of flavor that evolves with each sip.’
3. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20-Year-Old
Indeed, a fan-favorite expression.
One Line Review:
‘A masterpiece of bourbon craftsmanship, showcasing the rich and
nuanced flavors.’
4. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-Year-Old
It is the oldest expression in the Pappy Van Winkle lineup, aged at 23 years.
One-Line Review:
‘The epitome of sophistication and refinement in bourbon with an unparalleled depth of flavor.’
5. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye
Technically, it is not bourbon, but this rye whiskey is still often counted as bourbon. (Don’t ask us the reason, as we also don’t know)
One-Line Review:
‘A standout example of quality rye whiskey, with bold flavors and a smooth, satisfying finish.’
Buy Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon at Royal Batch! How can you even call yourself a bourbon fan if you don’t drink it at least once a week? Choose Royal Batch as your ultimate partner to source premium-quality Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. With years of experience, Royal Batch is the leading online liquor store. We offer Pappy Van Winkles Family Reserve 15-year-old Bourbon. This smooth and flavorful blend will make you its instant fan. Shop now!
And thanks for reading this comprehensive guide. Stay tuned for more such blog posts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q-1. Who Made Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon?
Ans: Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon is made by the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, which is owned and operated by the Van Winkle family. The brand was initially started by “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., and since then, it has been passed down through generations of the Van Winkle family.
Q-2. How Much is a Bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Costs?
Ans: The cost of a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle largely depends on factors such as its age, availability, and market demand. On average, Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year-Old may be priced between $500 and $1,000, while older expressions such as 20-Year-Old or 23-Year-Old may cost between $2300 and $6000.
Q-3. Why is Pappy Van Winkle so Expensive?
Ans: Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon is one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world, and its high price tag can be due to several reasons, such as limited availability, high production costs, and a longer aging process.
Q-4. Where Can I Buy Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon?
Ans: Though there are various ways of purchasing a favorite expression of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, choosing Royal Batch as your ultimate destination is a strategic choice. Royal Batch is a leading online liquor store that showcases a wide range of varieties. You may get the Van Winkle Bourbon at reasonable prices. Consider exploring the website.
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