Pappy Van Winkle 20 vs Pappy Van Winkle 23: Comparison

Last Updated on: 12th April 2024, 01:47 am

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Discover the differences between Pappy Van Winkle 20 vs Pappy Van Winkle 23 in this in-depth comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

Pappy 20 vs Pappy 23: Comparison

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year: Delivers flavors of caramel, banana, and oak on the nose, leading to a palate rich in honey, dark fruit, and apple pie. Its long finish beautifully balances baking spice with smooth oak. Celebrated for its complexity and oak influence, this bourbon stands out for its sophistication and depth.

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year: Opens with a strong oak aroma, softened by vanilla and caramel. The taste is a complex blend of cherry, vanilla, and baking spice, enveloped in a dominant oak character. The finish is memorable for its oak and subtle fruit notes. While the heavy oak presence is distinctive, it remains a refined and luxurious bourbon experience.

Verdict: Both Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year and Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year offer exceptional experiences in the bourbon world. The 20 Year is notable for its balanced sweetness and rich oak character, making it a sublime pour. The 23 Year, with its pronounced oak and complexity, appeals to those who appreciate a more robust oak profile, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Each represents the pinnacle of aged bourbon, catering to connoisseurs seeking depth and refinement in their whiskey.

Related: Best Pappy Bourbon

Pappy 20: A Delicate Wheated Bourbon with Oak Influence

Pappy-Van-Winkles-20-Year-Family-Reserve

Nose: Caramel, oak, banana, vanilla, chocolate
Palate: Honey, oak, apple pie, dark fruit, vanilla
Finish: Long, baking spice, oak, apple pie
Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Similar to: Pappy 15

Aroma: Pappy 20 opens with a nose of caramel, fruity sweetness, banana, vanilla, and chocolate, along with a noticeable presence of oak.

Palate: The taste is well-balanced and sweet, reminiscent of baked apple pie, with rich notes of vanilla and oak character. The finish is long, smooth, and free from harshness, with a lingering touch of oak.

Overall: Pappy 20 is a fantastic pour showcasing a delicate palate with a pronounced oak influence. While it lacks the warmth and body of the 15-year expression, it remains a remarkably good whiskey.

Pappy 20 facts:

Wheated bourbon
Released twice a year
Double Gold Medal at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Best-In-Class Gold Medallion in the 2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition
99 score from the Beverage Testing Institute

Pappy 23: A Complex Bourbon with a Dominant Oak Presence

Nose: Oak, vanilla, caramel
Palate: Oak, cherry, vanilla, baking spice
Finish: Oak, ripe fruit, old leather
Alcohol content: 97 proof (43.5% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

Bold Oak Aroma: Pappy 23 opens with a powerful oak presence on the nose. With patience, notes of vanilla and caramel peek through.

Oak-Forward Palate: The oak flavor reigns supreme on the palate, joined by subtle hints of cherry, vanilla, and cinnamon as it breathes. The medium-bodied mouthfeel is slightly dry but smooth, with no harshness.

Lingering Oak Finish: The finish is lengthy, dominated by oak alongside fleeting touches of fruit and leather.

Undeniably Good, But… While undeniably smooth and offering a delightful taste experience reminiscent of cake, Pappy 23’s pronounced oak character might overshadow other nuances. A higher proof could potentially elevate its overall complexity.

Very Good, But Not Perfect: Though very good, it falls short of being the pinnacle of bourbon for me, especially considering its price tag.

Pappy 23 facts: