Talk about top shelf...
Katie and Jeremy Watterson of the Metals Bar and Jocelyn Bachman of the Silver Corner Bar show off the rare Pappy Van Winkle bottles at their respective establishments.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON
The Van Winkle Special Reserve and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year bottles at the Metals Bar. While the bottles technically retail for $79.99 and $69.99, respectively, the rarity and quality of the bourbon increases their value tremendously once they leave the distillery in Kentucky.
WALLACE — Throwing some ice in a glass of these rare creations could be cause to get something else thrown at you.
That is the level of rarity we are talking about here when it comes to a few bottles of bourbon that recently arrived in the Silver Valley.
Making their way to the top shelves of the Metals and Silver Corner Bars in Wallace are three bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon (Also known as Pappy Van Winkle). At the Metals, owners Katie and Jeremy Watterson currently offer both the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the Van Winkle Special Reserve while over at the Silver Corner, co-owner Jocelyn Bachman offers the Special Reserve.
While these bottles of incredibly rare alcohols join several others that the two establishments carry, these are definitely the standouts.
Katie states that Pappy Van Winkle releases less than 7,000 cases (12 in a case) worldwide a year.
"They’re super lowly allocated to the state of Idaho or the world," Jeremy said. "You have to be in the lottery with the state of Idaho and then you win the opportunity to buy the bottle."
Similar to how one would put in for the opportunity to buy a moose hunting tag, the local bar owners threw their names into the hat to buy the bottles on Nov. 22, 2021. It wasn't until mid-January that they had shipped.
The fact that not just one, but two bars from the same small town in North Idaho won is a bit of a small miracle, considering the many metropolitan establishments to compete with.
"I would be willing to bet that there probably aren't 20 bars in the state of Idaho that got something," Jeremy said.
The Watterson's and Bachman explained that the notoriety of the Pappy Van Winkle name had a lot to do with their decision to put in for the bottles. To certain collectors or enthusiasts, these are the cream of the crop.
"Over the last like 10 to 15 years, collecting rare or limited release bourbons has become a thing," Bachman said. "It's a super intense hobby for a lot of people all over the world really, but definitely the American contingent is pretty ravenous about some of these rare releases."
Bottles such as these have been known to be privately sold in the $1,200 range. Even the empty bottles have substantial value and have been known to be sold for hundreds of dollars.
According to the oldripvanwinkle.com, the tasting notes of Van Winkle 10 Year state:
"See a rich, copper color. Smell enticingly sweet, spicy, caramel-nut-fudge aromas. Enjoy a fruity, medium-to full-bodied palate with intense dried fruit and toasted nuts notes. Each sip finishes with a very long, bold wave of peppery brown spices, floral honey and charred barrel flavors that balance the weight of the alcohol. It’s a big, bold, aged bourbon that has great balance for its high proof and flavor."
They tasting notes of the slightly more expensive Special Reserve are:
"See a brilliant, amber-orange color. Smell luscious, complex toffee. Taste a round, supple entry, leading to a dry, expansive, medium body. Enjoy notes of caramel, nuts, and brown spices with a lengthy, enveloping finish. It’s an outrageously smooth and decadent bourbon."
While the Watterson's and Bachman are currently offering pricy pours of Pappy by the ounce at their establishments, they aren't exactly in a rush to drain the bottles anytime soon.
"I don't really care if I ever open any of them," Jeremy said.
"It's like having gold medals on your back bar!," Bachman added.
