Can always rely on Fred for blatantly honest reviews. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying it's extremely enjoyable to hear these overpriced/hyped releases are nothing to chase and empty our pockets over. Cheers!
Fred, I appreciate your content, honesty and expertise! I’ll stick with my Knob Creek 12 as my “high end” pour. I have blinded it against some allocated expressions and it’s come out on top every time. I think that 12-15 years is the sweet spot on almost all bourbons.
Great analysis - thanks for doing this! One video I'd be interested in is a tour of your personal bar / stash. What are the bottles you always have on hand just for you or for you to mix or drink everyday? Not the bottles you have for the job or because people sent them to you but the bottles you go to a store and pick up when you see you're getting low because you always want them on hand.
I have had a handful of pours of these. The rye is always feels like the most consistent pour. I always think it has an almost agricole rum quality to it with a more complex palette.
I watch your reviews for the same reason people watch professional sport... It's entertaining and very informative. There is virtually 0% chance I'll find some Pappy in Europe, but it's fun to watch the experience of it. Keep it up! It's fun :D
Thanks for another great video and review. I was fortunate enough to score my first bottle of Pappy (20 year) in the 2022 TW BTAC lotto. Sounds like I got the best of 'em. Cheers, Fred!
I bet the 20 is AMAZING! GREAT score my friend. Be proud you have it. Quick story, I've been a lover of whiskey for over 20 years but only in the last 10 years have I been exposed to this "whiskey" hype, the genre, allocated bottles etc etc. I got in good with my local big box liquor store and routinely get offered allocations. I became aware of the Pappy craze when Bourdain first started it and never had a pour until 2020. That year the store that I now have an excellent relationship with just opened a new location and I was one of their first customers through the door. Fast forward to the BTAC release that year, my guy offered me, get this, GTS, VW Lot B and a Weller 12 year. This I can tell you.... The Lot B was a special taste. I'm in over 20yrs already drinking spirits and appreciating them, and that Lot B stood out as special. It just didn't taste like any other bourbon I had ever had. Delicious. Reminded me of a nice cognac. Raisin, fig, dates, all wrapped up in a caramel taffy. Superb. The next year a friend got the OR 10 and I really believe it was some of the tastiest bourbon I've ever had, next to the 12. Last year, I was awarded the Pappy 15 for my loyalty. Immediately i went on youtube to see some thoughts on the product. Came across Fred who I had already become aware of through some interviews with The Russel's and Van Winkle's. I saw this video of him shitting all over the line. I initially was bumbed out and thinking, "Damn. The one year I get a Pappy and the whiskey guru just wiped his ass with the entire line. Then I cracked my 15............................................... This is the finest whiskey that I have ever tasted. It's so fucking unique. It tastes NOTHING like Weller products. NOTHING. It reminded of the first time I tasted a 2019 Willet Family Rye in the sense that it stands alone on flavor profile. Fred might be a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to whiskey, but he is NOT the be all end all on what's tasty as fk and what aint. Opinions are like........ This is the creme de la creme line of wheated bourbons and I'm kind of jealous of you for scoring the 20, because that's the one I asked for. lol. Cheers dude!!!!!
I appreciate these reviews Fred. I’m prepping myself for next years lottery where if drawn we get to pick one bottle off the table full of allocated stuff from BTAC, Pappy, Coy Hill, Birthday Bourbon, etc etc. Super tough decision this year getting drawn relatively early with a lot of options on the table.
I know in the poll I said I didn't care for it, but I'm here as a fan watching it. I really like this more candid style of review for these. So many channels do a high production episode when they do Pappys/BTAC.
Was in Kentucky this past week and tried the Russell 10 as a warm up for the Pappy 23. Thought the Pappy 23 was miles better. Didn’t think the oak was that strong. If anything it kind of felt strangely “clean”. I totally get the rose note, but also the tobacco came through at the end. I always find Van Winkle do be very balanced. This review did make me glad that I have a sample of Michter’s 20.
Thanks for the review. I have been fortunate to have been able to get a taste of Pappy’s at a few bars and through a friends collection. It is a joy to be able to try them and certainly would love to secure a bottle at MSRP!! Being able to get an honest opinion is something rarely seen with these as one can’t help but be biased by the pure inability to get them. Really appreciated the recommendation of similar whiskeys to the taste profile.
The replacement for Pappy 15 is another bottle many can never get? I travel quite a bit and am always on the hunt for bourbons I can’t find at home. Only ever seen Weller Special Reserve.
None of these do anything for me anymore… These are waining shadows of a time that no longer exists in my personal whiskey playbook. Old legacy names that people continue to look for because they don’t know any better…with all the amazing craft, an independent juice out there, people miss out on what truly amazing whisky tastes like. Just my humble .02
I was unable to Attend the USO charity. But my buddy Got me The Glass. I still wish I was able to attend. But it's nice to think of you and this community as I have my Bourbons...."and fried chicken"!
Huge thanks Fred. I certainly wouldnt hold it against hunters to seek the Pappy line nor those that love it however its nice to hear an honest and detailed review from an educated palate. Love it.
Fred it seems Ike these bottles are just not for you, if you’d like I can take some of them of your hands….😜 interesting to hear your thoughts, I agree, of the ones I have had the 15 is usually my favorite. The Rye was shockingly great, considering I am not a rye fan typically. However I have yet to try the 20 or 23 year. Love the channel, happy holidays🥃
Fred, great video and content per the usual! Thanks for doing this one. I think it's important for people with palates similar to yours (from watching your channel/reading your reviews) to watch this. As we all know, the Pappy hype train is very real!
Pappy 12 is by far the superior bourbon in their line up. Weller 12 is better and much cheaper. Both are really hard to come by though and neither worth chasing. I've had them all and I'm sorry to say, they are only worth purchasing (at retail) to flip. Just not that good. Never were.
Personally, all the BT Pappy's are a miss for me. I was completely blinded (didn't know what any of the pours were while I was tasting them) and even the 4yr Castle and Key bourbon beat the 15yr Pappy. I think it's all highly overrated and mostly living off the hype.
I will never truly trust any Pappy review that isn't done as a blind. I do not believe anyone can remove their bias knowing they're drinking Pappy. Yes, I popped in to make a comment. No, I didn't actually watch the review. Don't care. I'll very likely never own a bottle. If I ever get the chance to buy one at a fair price I'll do it regardless of any review just because it's Pappy and I imagine that's the case for most anyone else.
@@TheMNbassHunter this comment was the embodiment of “well if I can’t do it; no one else can!” In reference to being unbiased. Fred basically had unlimited access to any bourbon he wants if he really wanted. So pappy isn’t gonna be nearly as big of a deal for him as opposed to someone like you who will never find one
No offense to Fred who is awesome, but reviews like this are ABSOLUTELY ASININE. No average Joe is EVER going to be able to obtain any of these. EVER. I live in NC and travel a lot - have been to 200+ plus liquor stores in the past year in 11 states - and have never seen a Pappy less than $1000 😂😂😂😂😂
Well, I was on the fence about reviewing them after I bought them. but I get as many requests to review these as I do everyday products. So either I am a reviewer or I am not. Thus, I reviewed them. Also, if you watch it, well, maybe, just maybe, I save you some $ and FOMO for this year's products.
@@FredMinnick Didn't mean any disrespect. Just totally unattainable. Merry Christmas though 🎄😊, maybe my kids love me enough to give me a Pappy for Christmas!
