Product: Pappy Van Winkle Special Reserve Producer: Rip Van Winkle Distillery Approximate Retail Value: $40 per bottle Category: Whiskey Country of Origin: USA Reviewer: R. Pietsch The F Words: Flavor – Imagine the best Bourbon you’ve ever had, but far better, and with a bit of caramel added. Feel – Delicate. Gentle. But strong and firm Finish – So good you’ll need a condom

Rating:

It’s RIGHT THERE on the menu, sir; I’m sorry if you find it odd that I read and correctly pronounced the name of the best bourbon I have ever had. I’m willing to blame his incompetence, but I digress.

I’ll spare the history lesson with this one and get straight to the point. I mean what I just said in all sincerity. This is literally the best bourbon I have ever had. Rip Van Winkle distillery offers a varied selection which ranges up to Bourbon aged for 23 years. Stick with the 12 year reserve. Both your palate and your wallet will thank me.

A simple glance at the glass of Pappy Van Winkle (order it neat) describes its taste simply by appearance –- a smooth, lush mouth feel, with a warm tingle at the back of your tongue being your only clue that it is 90.4 proof. Take a single sip of the room- temperature liquor, and notice how you could hold it at the back of your throat for the rest of the night. Don’t worry, that flavor only gets better with the finish, which hangs around for long enough to remind you why you started drinking liquor in the first place. If this were served to you slightly warmed, you would be begging for some chocolate mouse, or perhaps a soufflé. The flavors and feel would dance pirouettes across your tongue.

Maybe I’m getting a little carried away, but Pappy Van Winkle does that to me. Now, if you ordered some rocks on the side, pick out a single ice cube, nothing too big, and drop it into the glass. This will obviously chill the bourbon slightly, but the purpose is more to add a bit of water. In doing so you unleash the nose on this monster. It’s unstoppable. Vanilla. Caramel. Even roses. Suddenly, this perfect after dinner drink just became the most relaxing after-work cocktail.

It's not cheap, but when compared to the prices of its competitors, is not expensive; a bottle will cost you close to $40. In my opinion, if Maker’s Mark gets 5 stars on our charts, then a seventh or eight should be conjured, for this Bourbon is truly stellar.

In my experience, it’s not an easy find at bars, but if you ever see it on a menu you would be wrong to not give it a try. And if the bartender gives you a cock-eyed look, then feel free to laugh, because the joke's on him. PappyVanWinkleSpecialReserve

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