YOU WON’T GET PAPPY THIS YEAR, SO WHAT SHOULD YOU BUY?
Whether you love the Pappy Van Winkle offerings or find them grossly overrated, there is one thing we can all agree on – PVW is nearly impossible to find.
So, if you can’t find Pappy, what is the best alternative for fans of wheated bourbon?
We conducted a blind tasting of 7 wheated bourbons. Four testers scored each bourbon on a scale from 1 to 5 on nose, palate, and finish, with a maximum total score of 15.
At the end of the tasting we tallied our scores and revealed the identities of the bourbons we sampled.
Here are the results…
Wheated Bourbon #1: [Maker’s Mark (MM)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 3.5
Palate = 2
Finish = 2
Total Score = 7.5 out of 15
Notes: Nice nose – orange and spice, palate flat and hot, dry finish
Wheated Bourbon #2 [Weller 12 yr. (W12)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 2
Palate = 3
Finish = 3
Total Score = 8.0 out of 15
Notes: Nose is light and one-dimensional, palate is solid but unspectacular, moderate and thin finish
Wheated Bourbon #3 [Weller Special Reserve (WSR)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 2.5
Palate = 2
Finish = 2
Total Score = 6.5 out of 15
Notes: Very light nose with floral notes, palate is flat and boring, finish non-existent
Wheated Bourbon #4 [Larceny]
Average Scores:
Nose = 2.5
Palate = 3.5
Finish = 3.5
Total Score = 9.5 out of 15
Notes: Nose is light with citrus and earthy notes, sweet on the palate and more complex than previous samples, solid finish
Wheated Bourbon #5 [Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond (OF BIB)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 2.5
Palate = 4
Finish = 4
Total Score = 10.5 out of 15
Notes: Nose is a bit weak, sweet up front on the palate, finish is dry and long. The best flavor so far.
Wheated Bourbon #6 [Old Weller Antique (OWA)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 4
Palate = 4
Finish = 4
Total Score = 12.0 out of 15
Notes: Nose is sweet with orange and bubble gum, palate is excellent- sweet and hot, finish is long and viscous. Excellent pour.
Wheated Bourbon #7 [Rebel Yell 10yr. Single Barrel (RY10)]
Average Scores:
Nose = 3.5
Palate = 3.5
Finish = 4
Total Score = 11.0 out of 15
Notes: Nose has tons of orange and wood spice, palate is well balanced with sweetness and burn, excellent finish – maybe the best of the group.
Wheated Bourbon Final Rankings
{From Best to Worst by Total Score}
- Old Weller Antique (OWA)
- Rebel Yell 10yr. Single Barrel (RY10)
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond (OF BIB)
- Larceny
- Weller 12 yr. (W12)
- Maker’s Mark (MM)
- Weller Special Reserve (WSR)
{From Best to Worst by Palate + Finish Combined Score}
- Old Weller Antique (OWA) and Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond (OF BIB) tied for 1st
- Rebel Yell 10yr. Single Barrel (RY10)
- Larceny
- Weller 12 yr. (W12)
- Maker’s Mark (MM) and Weller Special Reserve (WSR) tied for last

Our Takeaways
- WSR is simply not good. It was easily the lowest rated bourbon on all of our tasting sheets. Not everything with “Weller” on the label is worth buying.
- MM had a surprisingly good nose, but fell apart on the palate and finish.
- 3 of the 4 tasters preferred Larceny to Weller 12. In fact, Larceny averaged higher scores in every category. And you can find it everywhere. Think about that.
- OWA won the tasting easily, with 4’s across the board. I was actually surprised by how much I liked OWA since it has never been a bottle I chase. That may change.
- OF BIB and RY10 are great bourbons that almost anyone will enjoy (one taster ranked OF BIB #1 overall). Both are complex and worthy of seeking out.
In the end, if you can’t find Pappy Van Winkle (and you likely won’t) grab a bottle of OWA and be happy that you have a great wheater for a fraction of the cost. And if you can’t find OWA, give Larceny a shot. It may surprise you with a flash if you go into it with an open mind.
JE
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
0
0
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2023-12-16 20:22:192023-12-16 20:25:2115 Stars Platinum Fine Aged Bourbon Review: A Luxurious Blend of Tradition and Craftsmanship
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
0
0
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2023-04-28 21:41:562023-04-28 21:52:57ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Exclusive Four Roses OBSF Bourbon Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/George-Dickel-Bottled-In-Bond.jpg
1536
2048
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2019-08-18 19:27:012019-08-18 19:27:05Head-to-Head Tennessee Titans: George Dickel Bottled in Bond vs. Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Russell’s-Reserve-2002.jpg
1280
1280
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2019-01-31 14:57:292019-01-31 19:36:14Russell’s Reserve 2002 Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Single-Barrel-Showdown-e1547743112446.jpg
2250
3000
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2019-01-17 17:25:022019-01-17 17:25:04Three Affordable Single Barrel Bourbons You Should Try
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Whiskey-Pairing-3-e1542829451593.jpg
1591
1900
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2019-01-05 18:33:342019-01-06 18:55:35Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Top-10-Whiskeys-of-2018.png
332
340
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-12-22 20:32:322018-12-24 21:58:13Top 10 Whiskeys of 2018
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/FullSizeRender-4.jpeg
4032
3024
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-12-08 15:50:582019-04-10 16:34:26New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Whiskey-Pairing-1-e1542829495371.jpg
1829
2743
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-11-21 20:22:502018-11-26 17:00:47Whiskey Pairing 101
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Rye-Whiskey-Review-1-e1539819656303.jpg
786
1048
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-10-18 01:00:242018-12-10 17:08:53Rye Whiskey Review Showdown - 4 Whiskeys
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Bourbon-Barrel-Aged-Coffee-Oak-and-Bond-e1538569223104.jpeg
1899
2532
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-10-03 13:36:592018-12-10 17:09:18Oak & Bond Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Wild-Turkey-Rare-Breed-Review-.jpg
720
960
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-09-28 11:17:512018-12-10 17:10:27Wild Turkey - Rare Breed vs. Forgiven
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Screen-Shot-2018-09-15-at-4.08.18-PM.png
323
581
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-09-15 20:33:072018-09-15 20:33:07Four Roses 130th Anniversary Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Bourbon-Sippers-e1544461423248.png
639
789
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-09-11 14:42:252018-12-10 17:25:126 Craft Whiskeys You Should Be Drinking
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Makers-Mark-Private-Select.png
614
829
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-07-22 19:23:422018-07-23 05:37:57Maker's Mark Private Select - A Duo Of Picks Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Belle-Meade-Honey-Cask-e1530278623358.jpg
1097
1296
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-06-29 13:57:432019-04-07 23:49:24Belle Meade Honey Cask Bourbon Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Timber-Creek-Distillery-Bourbon-Sippers-e1529277299110.jpg
646
1000
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-06-17 23:28:192018-11-11 18:24:21Timber Creek Distillery (Crestview, FL)
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Best-bourbon-Under-200-Makers-Mark-e1528842939481.jpg
467
700
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-06-12 23:11:212020-09-21 20:54:36Best Bourbon Under 200 Dollars
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Smooth-Ambler-Big-Level-Bourbon-e1526182186675.jpg
1938
1872
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-05-13 03:59:462018-08-22 17:47:40Smooth Ambler Big Level Bourbon Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OKI-12-Year-Single-Barrel-.jpg
718
960
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-05-13 02:12:322018-08-22 13:34:21O.K.I. 12 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review - New Riff Distilling
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Redwood-Empire-American-Whiskey--e1526053262731.jpg
924
924
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-05-11 16:11:312018-06-16 18:49:57Redwood Empire Whiskey Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Nelson’s-First-108-Tennessee-Whiskey-e1525367202883.jpeg
581
872
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-05-03 18:05:072018-09-12 21:01:36Nelson’s First 108 Tennessee Whiskey Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Binny’s-Knob-Creek-Rye-Review-e1524678545308.jpg
675
900
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-04-25 18:03:362018-09-12 21:03:13Binny's Knob Creek Rye vs. Standard Knob Creek Rye
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Tokki-Soju-1-e1523986560482.jpg
1267
713
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-04-17 18:08:072018-09-12 21:06:33You Should Be Drinking Tokki Soju
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Murray_Hill_Club_Special_Release-e1518737872294.jpeg
524
524
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-02-15 23:47:552018-08-31 13:25:13Jos. A. Magnus & Co. Murray Hill Club Special Release - Bourbon Sippers Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/pexels-photo-602750-e1517773593712.jpeg
674
640
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2018-02-04 19:54:122018-09-12 21:09:41Rye Whiskey Review - Top 5 Rye Whiskeys Under $40
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0421-e1513977959715.jpg
648
648
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-12-22 20:59:282018-09-12 21:15:00Top 10 Whiskeys of 2017 - Bourbon Sippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/1110171543_HDR-e1513438526564.jpg
288
512
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-12-16 16:18:182018-09-12 21:27:20Bourbon Sipping in Brooklyn - King's County Distillery & VB Stillhouse
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_3413-e1510881447614.jpg
409
542
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-11-17 01:41:492018-09-12 20:40:49Garrison Brothers Estacado - Limited Edition
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_9105-e1508615012285.jpg
285
400
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-10-21 19:44:402020-09-21 15:25:50The Top 10 Most Overrated Whiskeys
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/michters-toasted-e1508007451934.jpeg
314
600
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-10-14 19:08:372018-09-12 20:31:34Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye Review - Quick Sips #6
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pappy-2.png
400
398
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-10-14 17:22:322020-09-21 15:30:05You Won't Get Pappy This Year, So What Should You Buy?
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FullSizeRender-2-e1505687597403.jpg
560
500
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-09-17 22:42:092018-09-12 20:30:19Booker's Rye Whiskey Review
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Screen-Shot-2017-09-10-at-1.20.51-PM.png
601
598
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-09-10 18:32:472020-09-21 15:20:03All of these Bourbons are Better than Pappy Van Winkle
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2082-e1503540307323.jpg
400
600
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-08-24 02:29:092018-09-12 20:28:085 Floors of Buffalo Trace Bourbon
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1755-3-e1502550293842.jpg
394
500
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-08-12 16:09:072018-09-12 20:51:02Knob Creek 25th Anniversary vs Knob Creek Private Barrels
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_0666-e1502069721702.jpg
300
200
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-07-16 20:53:382018-09-12 21:36:00Top 10 Rye Whiskeys Under $40
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/four-grain-e1502069788982.jpg
130
300
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-07-07 13:58:352018-09-12 21:36:23E.H. Taylor - Four Grain
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-04-at-4.09.58-PM-e1502069823545.png
211
300
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-06-04 20:06:402020-09-21 15:28:47Top 10 Bourbons Under $40
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FullSizeRender-e1502069979717.jpg
300
169
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-05-22 17:56:262018-09-12 19:41:43J. Henry & Sons Bellefontaine Reserve
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CognacCaskFinishedBelleMeadeBourbon-e1502069991407.jpeg
300
225
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-04-28 13:57:062018-09-12 19:31:03Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ehtaylorseasoned-wood--e1502069997914.jpg
231
300
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-04-24 14:26:202018-09-12 19:30:05E.H. Taylor Seasoned Wood
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/99A65AEF-0DF0-4D79-B6C6-9DBA91F91121-e1502070014138.jpg
209
300
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-04-09 20:28:532018-09-12 19:29:30Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/jhenrybourbon-e1502070120819.jpg
148
300
BourbonSippers
https://bourbonsippers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bsnewlogo-300x176.png
BourbonSippers2017-03-14 18:56:262018-09-12 21:33:53J. Henry & Sons Wisconsin Straight Bourbon: Patton Road Reserve, Cask Strength
Best Bourbon Under 200 Dollars