Pappy Van Winkle alternative

[Dr.Righteous]

So let’s say I want to buy a nice, slightly uncommon bottle of Bourbon as a holiday gift - said friend is a fan of all Bourbon and his norm is Woodford’s Reserve. Let’s also say I cannot afford (and most likely could not find) Pappy Van Winkle.

What should I be able to find for around $40-50? I was thinking of Angel’s Envy (which I’ve had and really like) but I’m open to other suggestions. Maybe Eagle Rare? Something else?

[silenus]

If you can find a bottle anywhere, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is marvelous.

[Labrador_Deceiver]

For $40 or $50? I’d probably go with Black Maple Hill.

[Pork_Rind]

I’d lean toward the 12yo Weller. Like Pappy, it’s also a wheater, and is in fact, the same juice (other than the cherry picked barrels) as the Pappy Lot B. Even better might be this year’s William Larue Weller from the BTAC collection, but you’re not much more likely to find it than the Pappy in the first place.

There’s some Black Maple Hill I like (the 18 and 23 yo ryes come to mind), but otherwise they don’t make their product and are limited to what they can source. I don’t think they’re getting stuff as good as they used to. Although you could really say the same thing about Pappy now that most or all of the Stitzel-Weller is gone and Buffalo Trace has picked up the slack…

[Pork_Rind]

I really like this guy’s reviews. Well worth the time watching and reading.

Sour Mash Manifesto

[silenus]

If you want to stay with Weller, get him 3 bottles of the Antique.

[Pork_Rind]

Allow me to bump myself one more time. Here’s what Chuck Cowdery says:

If you actually just want a very good bottle of that type of bourbon (wheated and well-aged), the Weller line is right there for you. The Weller 12-year-old is comparable to all but the 20-23 year-old Van Winkles, and costs about $30 a bottle. It’s in short supply too, though not as crazy as Van Winkle. For that matter, purely in terms of the whiskey, most would be happy with a bottle of Maker’s Mark (also a wheated bourbon and about $20 a bottle). If you want something exclusive and high end, the 2010 edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection, a 10-year-old barrel proof wheated bourbon, is the peer of any Van Winkle.

[pulykamell]

@Pork_Rind

I’d lean toward the 12yo Weller. Like Pappy, it’s also a wheater,

This explains a lot. I was wondering what it was about Maker’s, Pappy, and Weller that I wasn’t keen on. They all taste a bit too sweet and, I dunno, “smooth?” for me, and I think, judging by this post, it must be the wheat. I knew Maker’s had wheat instead of rye in the mash, but not the others.

[Pork_Rind]

@pulykamell

This explains a lot. I was wondering what it was about Maker’s, Pappy, and Weller that I wasn’t keen on. They all taste a bit too sweet and, I dunno, “smooth?” for me, and I think, judging by this post, it must be the wheat. I knew Maker’s had wheat instead of rye in the mash, but not the others.

Yeah, you and me both. I like the rye spiciness. I usually keep a bottle of Old Weller Antique on hand, but otherwise it’s all ryes or high-rye bourbons. I do have one bottle of Pappy left from my haul last year, but I feel like I can’t open it now unless someone’s around to play a flourish on a trumpet or something.

[Dr.Righteous]

Thanks for the info, all. Yes, we both like wheated bourbons. I think he actually has the 12 Yr Weller, the bottle looks familiar… but if he does not that would be a good one. I’ll keep peeking in here for suggestions as I don’t need to buy this until New Years Eve.