For One Day, This Iconic Kentucky Dive Bar Will Sell Pappy Van Winkle at “Cost”

The Chevy Chase Inn in Lexington, KY, the city’s oldest bar, just received their allotment of the ultra-rare Pappy Van Winkle.

And in a spirit more generous than the times we currently live, the Inn decided — in lieu of jacking up the prices and placing the bottles to “collect dust on the top shelf” — they’d share ‘em at cost.

“The prices being charged for Pappy Van Winkle has gotten out of control,” says Chevy Chase Inn co-owner Kevin Heathcoat. “Pappy is actually one of the most reasonably priced ultra-premium bourbons when it leaves the warehouse. Our industry and the secondary market is ruining it for working class bourbon lovers everywhere.”

It’s true: A 15 Year’s MSRP is $99.99, but a quick Google search shows bottles starting at $1200.

If you can get down to Lexington on Sunday for “Pappy Thanksgiving,” you’ll score 1.5 oz pours of the following:

• Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery 10 Year: $5.00
• Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year “Lot B”: $6.25.
• Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year: $8.50
• Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year: $14.25

That said, there are a few rules in place. You’ll want to line up early to get a wristband and a number, starting at 2 p.m. (If you line up even earlier, you’ll can grab a $5 meal from the local restaurant Bourbon N’ Toulouse). The pours start at 4:30 p.m. and there’s one pour per wristband; only 70 people are guaranteed a taste.

And don’t try any jerk moves, like bringing along a non-bourbon drinker to score a second pour. As the Inn notes on their invite: “If you try to scam our very thought out, high tech wristband system, then you’re a jerk. We will make sure everyone in the bar knows you’re a jerk. Don’t be that person.”

(Can’t make it down to Kentucky? Here are some other ways to score a taste of Pappy.) 

Photo: Chevy Chase Inn/Facebook