O Pappy my Pappy!

Oh happy Pappy day!

Word is out — the 2019 Pappy Van Winkle line of bourbons and whiskeys are coming soon to … well, technically liquor stores and bar shelves, but don’t ask me how to score one! Hunting season begins soon.

According to a news release that was issued Thursday morning, these Pappy products will be available in November:

• Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 proof — ($69.99)
• Old Rip Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old — ($79.99)
• Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old — ($119.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old — ($119.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old — ($199.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old — ($299.90)

Of course, these are the suggested prices, but you’re not likely to find them for those prices — let alone find them at all.

“Unfortunately we cannot control the price retailers charge, so some retailers mark it up beyond our MSRP, even though we ask them not to,” said Julian Van Winkle, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, in the release. “We are committed to releasing a quality product and hope retailers will honor what we suggest as a fair retail price.”

We hope so, too.

Pappy, as you probably know, is a wheated bourbon (except for the Family Reserve Rye) that is made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Technically, only the latter three — 15, 20 and 23 Year Olds — are called “Pappy,” so if you’re trying to impress people at a party, don’t be all loosy-goosy with the term. Just call the others Van Winkles or Old Rips.

I’ve been fortunate to sample all the Pappys over time — see, there I go using that incorrect umbrella word — and I tend to enjoy the 10, 12 and 15 the best. Now, I won’t turn down a bottle of 20 or 23 should I win one, but for drinking purposes, give me a 15 and a straw, and I’ll be set!

You’re likely not going to find these at a liquor store, so your best bet is to hope your favorite corner cocktail bar gets a set. Sip slowly. Do not add mixers. Enjoy. Buy one for me.