re: Jefferson 18 year vs. Pappy Van Winkle (with reviews)

Now we get to the first of the big guns going head to head: Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 year. Note that this is the 17 year instead of the 18 year since it's what they had at the bar I went to. Reportedly the 17 year and 18 year are very similar. The 17 year was released last year as the first bottling of the Stitzel-Weller barrels and the 18 is this years bottling. This bourbon was definitely hands down better than the Pappy 15 year in my opinion. It has many similarities to the Pappy 15 (but smoother). It still has some spunk, but you can tell it's mellowed out a little more. It's spiciness is there, but more subdued and a little more complex than the Pappy 15. I consider it a great deal at the $80-$100 mark that they have it priced now and likely you will see that price rise as it becomes harder to acquire. Already, I know of at least one place that increased the prices to well over $100. Get it while you can

*I'll get to the Pappy 20 year either late tonight or tomorrow. I've got a bread pudding contest and bourbon tasting to attend tonight


Nose: Butterscotch, candied apple, vanilla, caramel, butter

Taste: Pretty smooth, almost velvety with the viscosity; butterscotch, vanilla, mild cinnamon, oak and leather notes; slight pear notes in there also

Finish: Nice, long with good warmth. Vanilla and leather

Churchills always has a great whiskey selection in baton rouge and a lot of people forget about them. Usually loads up on the good stuff when it's available and stores it in the back instead of having it all facing storefront at once.

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Pappy 20

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I bought a bottle of this at Church Hills last year for a Christmas gift. They do always seem to have a really good high end whiskey selection.

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Beardface, just picked up a bottle of the Jefferson 18 yr at Cork & Bottle...hope you're right

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You should enjoy it

Just called to check for you. Churchills is out of 20 year right now but actually have some 23 year on the shelf

225-927-4211 is the number

Just out of curiosity how much does a bottle of PVW23 run?

It's gotta be 200+ for sure. Stupidly smooth and viscous whiskey but really a treat if u want a bottle to slowly enjoy.

If Jefferson 18 is from the Stitzel-Weller barrels would it not have to be at least 19 years old? Stitzel-Weller stopped production in 1992.

Alright Beardy, finally got around to opening the Jefferson Presidential Select....

It is incredibly smooth, no ice needed, not even whiskey stones. I've been enjoying my Pappy 23 neat, and one should sip the JPS the same way. However, the flavor doesn't linger as long as the Pappys do (15, 20 or 23). I taste the same vanilla/butterscotch notes you mentioned, with a clean, though more brief finish.

I had the Pappy 15 last week at a bar in the Warehouse District, and though it wasn't my first drink of the night (we had a bottle of wine at La Boca), it was a massive pour...I guess when a bartender finds out what you like, you get an extra finger or so. It was much harsher than the JPS, as is the 23, but the flavor lingered a bit longer as the 23 does.

Many feel the PVW 20 is the ultimate value for bang for your buck. I still prefer the 23, though it's a LARGE jump from the 15 to the 20.

The JPS came highly recommended from my guy Dave, and didn't disappoint. Not sure I'll pick up another bottle of it if I still have access to Pappy next season, but I'm glad I dropped the $90 on it when I did, as high end bourbons tend to disappear after Mardi Gras.

I look forward to more bourbon recommendations from the bearded one, as well as the F&D board...everyone should fully understand that just as there's a gap from JD to Maker's, there's a significant gap from Blanton's to the longer aged stuff.

I finally got around to picking up a bottle of the Jefferson 18 year. Will report back with review later.

Any idea how much longer they expect it to be available?