Julian Van Winkle’s old fashioned is a riff on the original, one of the most popular drinks of all time. The origin of the first lies somewhere in the murky past, circa 1860 and some give credit to the Pendennis Club in Louisville, KY. for its creation.
A Short History of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons
Julian Van Winkle owned the Stitzel-Weller distillery and began producing the Old Rip Van Winkle brand on Derby day, 1935. They were located in Shively, a suburb of Louisville not far from Churchill Downs.
The Van Winkles sold the distillery in the early 70’s but kept the rights to the brand and the old stocks of aging bourbon. Julian Jr. and his son used it to bottle 10 year old Rip Van Winkle and the 15, 20 and 23 year-old expressions of Pappy Van Winkle. In 2002 Julian III formed a joint venture with Buffalo Trace Distillery to continue producing their brands.
Limited production, somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 bottles annually and the overwhelming demand make it a rare and pricey indulgence. Today, black market bottles of 23 year old Pappy sell for $5,000 or more.
Julian Van Winkle’s Old Fashioned
Unlike the provenance of the original old fashioned, we know the creator of this cocktail. Julian shared his recipe, demonstrating how to make it as a guest of Ed Lee on Mind of A Chef. As Ed and Julian drank together, lauding the flavor it prompted me to make one for myself.
Purists might argue it’s an abomination to “waste” PVW mixed in a cocktail, but who are we to argue with the man himself?
Julian Van Winkle’s Old Fashioned
15 Y.O. Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, Orange and Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 slice of fresh ripe orange
- 1 cube of demararra sugar
- Orange bitters
- 2 oz of 15 year-old 107 proof Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. If you must, substitute a high quality aged Kentucky bourbon, 8 years +, and try to find something at least 100 proof
- 1 slice of orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Begin with a slice of fresh ripe orange, remove the center pith to avoid bitterness, then place in the bottom of a rocks glass
- Place a napkin over the glass and rest a cube of demararra sugar on it, then add several dashes of orange bitters. The napkin prevents any spillage of bitters from overpowering the drink
- Release the sugar cube into the glass, crush it and muddle with the orange being careful to avoid crushing the pith in the outer rind
- Add one ounce of 15 year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.
- Fill the glass with rocks
- Gently swirl the glass a few times
- Add another ounce of bourbon and repeat the swirl
- Garnish with the slice of orange peel
But just one last thing…
My bottle is near empty as you can see. If anybody can hook me up with another, I would gladly repay you with a cheeseburger next Tuesday.