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

Which means a pour is just $5-$10

November 13, 2018 9:00 am

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

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