A short film by Joe York and the Southern Foodways Alliance about statesman and bourbon distiller Julian Van Winkle.
Asleep in the Wood from Southern Foodways on Vimeo.
Imagine a 23-year business plan. Amazing.
I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but the 23yr Family Reserve from Pappy Van Winkle is hands-down the best whiskey I've ever had. Gia found a bottle of it for me 2 years ago (it's not easy to find), and I took my time with enjoying it. Only two other humans were allowed to enjoy a glass of the heaven that the bottle contained within. Not because I'm averse to sharing. I'm not. Nothing makes me happier than sharing a bottle I love with a person I love almost as much. It's just that this was a gift for me. A rare gift at that.
I think I'm going to do a little whiskey hunting over the weekend. Try to find some of the younger Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. There are some people out there who believe that 23 years is far too long a time to age a bourbon. That 8-10 years is ideal. Julian Van Winkle mentions this in the video up there, joking that the only people who say that are those who've never tried to age it that long. But I am interested in tasting both the 10 and 15 year varieties.
I'll let you know how I fare.
5 comments:
Okay, you're teaching me something here I wasn't aware of. I have sampled the 15 year old mash, slightly vanilla in taste, smooth to the tongue but rips out your belly lining after the fourth glass.
I didn't know that a 23 year old bottle was out there. I might look for a wee snifter masel for the Christian celebration next month.
Chef - It's the nectar of the gods (small "g"). Not very easy to find and a tad expensive ($250 or more in US dollars), but worth it.
like chef, i have learned something new tonight, sugar! the MITM has me looking for Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky it comes in 12, 15,18, 25, and 30 year old bottlings! very cool video! xoxox
Savannah - They also have a 40-year old reserve. Around two grand, but yeah...40 years!
So, in a past life I worked on Whisky Magazine, and met one of the Van Winkle family. He was absolutely uninterested in whiskey, yet was running the distillery. I don't think that's the same stuff you're talking about here though, unless it is... My memory is hazy. But i had a bottle of Van Winkle and it was the best bourbon I have ever had, hands down. I believe he sold the distillery a year or so later...
But like I said, the memory is very hazy indeed.
Was also there when the family sold the Bowmore distillery to Suntory. Me, and the world's best whisky writers.
I'm burbling. I'll get my coat.
Post a Comment