If Pappy Makes You Happy...

"We wish we could say yes, but…"

“This is one of the last surviving bottles from the 1995 Pappy Van Winkle warehouse fire… God damn! It’s like drinking silk.”
— Boyd Crowder, from TV series, “Justified.”

Welp, my favorite annual holiday email has arrived, and I’m trying to manage my expectations. It’s from my liquor store, announcing their “rare bourbon” event.

It seems once again I’ve spent enough money there this year, so I’ve been invited to sign up for their contest. Among the prizes are bottles of the legendary and elusive Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Bourbon.

Oh, dear, I’m afraid I’m not explaining this very well. You see, it’s not really a contest, as such, it’s more of an “opportunity,” to use their word. The randomly selected winners will get to go to their store and BUY a bottle of the sought-after bourbon at the going rate, which is probably more than you normally spend on your liquor.

For instance, the coveted 23-year-old Pappy sells for $599 a bottle.