Pappy Van Winkle is coveted by so many, and yet—thanks to its scarcity and often inflated prices—enjoyed by so few. But most folks don’t even realize what makes it special: Pappy—along with the other offerings in the Van Winkle line, aside from the rye—is a wheated bourbon. That means the secondary grain in its mashbill is wheat, rather than the much more common rye. This creates a slightly sweeter, fruitier, and, yes, smoother bourbon that many drinkers find quite appealing.
Savvy whiskey lovers have learned to quit wasting their time and money on locating Pappy and instead have begun to...
