Barrels to Bottles: Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons & Thoroughbred American Whiskeys Headline Sotheby’s April Auction
Apr 15, 2021 10:00 EDT - Apr 30, 2021 10:00 EDT
“Untouched by hands and unhurried by time” best describes a bottle of Van Winkle bourbon. The journey from barrels to bottles takes decades and is one of the main reasons why each bourbon is considered rare. The Beverage Testing Institute (Chicago) also gave Van Winkle bourbon a score of 99/100, the highest rating ever given to a whiskey. Enthusiasts hunt for their share of Van Winkles. An 18-year-old Rip Van Winkle Blue Smoke and a 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’s family reserve are featured in Sotheby’s upcoming sale. The aged bourbons have flavors of leather, oak, and complex fruitiness with notes of spice and oak tannins.
Over 250 lots of rare American bourbons, ryes, and thoroughbred whiskeys that stretch back over decades will be available in this auction. The collection spans from Kentucky to Pennsylvania and celebrates American whiskeys, particularly those from Kentucky. 30 bottles from the Van Winkle stable, ten bottles of Hirsch Reserve, and eight bottles of LeNell’s Red Hook Rye are all available online the day before the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Visit Sotheby’s to place a bid.
Lot Categories:
Wine & Spirits (257)# of Lots:
257Price Range:
$100-$20,000Interesting lots include:
Item Image | Item Name | Estimate |
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LeNell Red Hook Rye 24-Year-Old Barrel #4 68.0 abv NV (1 BT75) |
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Old Rip Van Winkle 18 Year Old Blue Smoke 92.6 proof NV (1 BT75) |
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Pappy Van Winkle's 23-Year-Old Family Reserve 95.6 proof NV (1 BT75) |
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Buffalo Trace 12 Year Old Experimental Collection Twice Barreled 90 proof NV (1 BT37) |
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Hancock's President's Reserve Single Barrel 88.9 proof NV (1 BT75) |
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Contact Info
Sotheby's
- 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021
- 212 606 7000
- [email protected]
- https://www.sothebys.com

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