In the world of whiskey (especially bourbon), there’s no name that creates more hushed silence than Pappy Van Winkle. American whiskey is ripe with highly sought-after, hard-to-find whiskeys, but none are as beloved as Pappy. It’s the closest thing to a Holy Grail whiskey as there is. The iconic lineup includes a number of vintages between 10 and 15 years old, with the priciest varieties aged for 20 and 23 years.
There are a handful of reasons why these whiskeys are so expensive and difficult to find. The first is low production. Buffalo Trace produces a very limited quantity to ensure it remains popular and sought-after. These whiskeys are also matured for a very long time, making them inherently more valuable. If you’re lucky enough to try it, you’re in the minority. Many avid whiskey drinkers spend their whole lives without trying this proverbial nectar of the gods. Maybe someday you’ll randomly walk into a new bar and you’ll find it behind the counter. Even if you don’t, there are options to scratch that Pappy itch.
Pappy Van Winkle is made with a wheated mash bill. This means that after corn, the secondary grain is wheat instead of rye. This creates a soft, mellow, and highly sippable whiskey. Luckily, there are a handful of far more reasonably-priced wheated bourbons on the market. Here are a handful of our favorites.
Photo via Beam Suntory, Inc
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is a great choice for those who enjoy high-proof whiskeys. Bottled at a cask strength between 108 and 114 proof, it begins with a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. This no age statement bourbon is believed to be aged around six years. The result is a memorable whiskey that begins with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, sticky toffee pudding, and rich oak. The palate is a mix of caramelized sugar, sweet corn, vanilla, and gentle wintry spices. The finish is long, lingering, and leaves you craving more.
Photo via Luxco
Penelope Wheated Bourbon
Penelope Wheated Bourbon begins with a four-grain mash bill, featuring 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. While it carries no age statement, Penelope says that it typically matures between four and six years. This creates a multi-layered whiskey that starts with aromas of caramel, sweet corn, orchard fruits, and oak. Sipping it reveals flavors like candied orange peels, toffee, vanilla beans, honey, and charred wood. The finish is a lingering, memorable mix of brown sugar sweetness and baking spice. This is the type of whiskey you’ll want to sip neat.
Photo via Garrison Brothers Distillery
Garrison Brothers Small Batch
Texas-based Garrison Brothers has made quite a name for itself in the last decade, and one of its best expressions is the Small Batch. Made with a mash bill of 74% corn, 15% wheat, and 11% malted barley, it’s matured for at least three years in American white oak barrels. It starts with a nose of clover honey, orchard fruits, and oak. The palate is a symphony of flavors including honey, fresh leather, caramelized apples, candied orange peels, and cinnamon. It all finishes with a mix of candied nuts, toffee, and baking spices.
Photo via Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits
Redemption Wheated Bourbon
You know exactly what you’re getting when you crack open a bottle of Redemption. While some wheated bourbons have wheat as the secondary grain, Redemption’s mash bill is a full 45% winter wheat (and 51% corn). This award-winning, 96-proof whiskey is exactly what you need to scratch that Pappy Van Winkle itch. It begins with a nose of orchard fruits, vanilla beans, oak, honey, and candied ginger. The palate boasts flavors like candied nuts, butterscotch, vanilla beans, honey, oak, and wintry spices. The finish is warm and lingering, with a mix of candied cherries and sticky toffee pudding.
Photo via Luxco
Rebel 10 Year Single Barrel
Rebel’s single-barrel expression begins with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. It’s matured for at least ten years in charred oak barrels and bottled at a potent 100-proof. On the nose, you’ll be greeted with aromas of cinnamon candy, vanilla bean, toffee, and charred oak. Sipping it brings notes of candied cherries, mint, cinnamon, clover honey, treacle, butterscotch, and oak. The lingering, warming finish is a combination of herbal, dried fruits, and toffee flavors. This whiskey should be enjoyed neat, and benefits from a splash or two of water to open up the aromas and flavors.
Photo via Castle & Key Distillery
Castle & Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon
Located in the restored historic Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key opened its doors to the public in 2018. Since then, it’s gained a following and garnered numerous awards. One of its best whiskeys is the Small Batch Wheated Bourbon. Made with a mash bill of 73% white corn, 10% wheat, and 17% malted barley, this is a blend from a distiller-curated grouping of barrels that’s intended to create a specific flavor profile. The result is a sweet, mellow sipper that starts with a nose of toasted vanilla, candied nuts, clover honey, chocolate fudge, and oak. The palate is a mix of flavors including pecans, toffee, cocoa powder, vanilla beans, wood, and gentle spices. The finish is a warming mix of sweetness and spice.
