I’ve been writing about alcohol, with a focus on whisky, for the past 20 years. During that time, I learned a few things. Especially about American whisky. There are a ton of over-the-top, coveted bourbons on the market. I’m talking about people like E.H. Taylor, Weller, and especially Pappy Van Winkle. The last one is so popular and difficult to obtain that it sells for thousands of dollars on the secondary market.
Think there’s an obsession with this popular whiskey? Back in 2013, $100,000 worth of Pappy was stolen from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. This event is called “Puppygate.” It was eventually determined that a Buffalo Trace employee named Gilbert “Toby” Kurtsinger had stolen the barrels. Netflix even made a documentary about the heist.
In case you haven’t realized it yet, Pappy Van Winkle is a type of whiskey that most people reading this article will never have a chance to try. That may seem like a bummer, but there are ways to get the Puppy experience without emptying your bank account.
To make Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace uses flour mash. This means that wheat is the second largest grain after corn. This gives Pappy Van Winkle a soft, sweet, easy-drinking mouthfeel, with flavors like vanilla, sweet honey, toffee, and ripe bananas.
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Fortunately, there are alternatives in the wheat whiskey world. You don’t even need to buy flour bourbon to enjoy Pappy’s mellow, soft, sublime flavor. We recommend Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey.
Also known as the “Poor Man’s Puppy,” this whiskey has won multiple awards over the years, including a double gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 51% wheat, 37% corn, 12% barley malt. The whiskey is aged for seven full years before being bottled at 90 degrees.
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Bernheim is well known for its soft, nuanced and sublime flavor, opening with notes of clover honey, vanilla bean, cinnamon candy, toffee and light spice. The palate is a symphony of ripe berries, sticky toffee, toasted vanilla beans, sweet molasses, cinnamon sugar, orchard fruit, oak, and winter spice. The finish is warm, dry and memorable, ending with a combination of oak, spice and caramel apple.
A memorable whisky, best enjoyed straight, on the rocks or with water. It is inexpensive enough to be used as the base for drinks such as Old Fashioneds and Boulevardiers. This kind of versatility makes the Bernheim the type of expression you’ll always want to have in your home bar.
Another reason why Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey is a permanent fixture in your home bar or bar cart is its price. You can get a 750ml bottle of this exceptional whiskey for less than $35. Yes, that’s right.
You’ll probably still want to get your hands on a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle after reading this story. I don’t blame you. In the meantime, buy a bottle of Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey. You will probably have to wait a long time for your puppy to arrive. Start saving now or make friends with a liquor store owner or two. You will need all the help you can get.
RELATED: Pappy Van Winkle reveals upcoming 2024 collection. Better act quickly