Customer Reviews

But Always Fine Bourbon : Pappy Van Winkle and the Story of Old Fitzgerald

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This gorgeous book leaps from the coffee table into the hands of everyone who sees it, and no one has been able to put it down. A warm portrait of the Van Winkle family bourbon business--Stitzel-Weller Distillery--the story is infused with the history of the industry from the inception of bourbon making to the period of mergers and acquisitions that saw the demise of many small distilleries. The book's narrative includes heartwarming and informative first-hand accounts of working with Pappy Van Winkle. It is masterfully designed with beautiful photography and full color representations of the distillery's labels. A true delight and a bargain.

I was fortunate to meet Julian P. Van Winkel III at a whiskey tasting in San Francisco. I tasted his whiskies, bought his sister's book (he was kind enough to add his signature to the author's), and then his wife invited me to "come see us in Kentucky". Friendliest folks I've ever met. Damn fine book, too.

You can get a brand new one there for $40. I don't understand why amazon doesn't have the new edition available here.

Instead, pick it up at the BT gift shop for 46 bucks:

[...]

A great book to go in my whiskey tasting room on the table. A bit more family history than I was prepared for, but in general, it really makes me thirsty and melancholy at the same time knowing that I probably won't ever be able to taste Pappy's products. :(

A wonderful family story in a beautiful book written by a wonderful woman. From Sally flows emotion and character. Whether you drink bourbon or only water you will enjoy this book. It's been called a coffee-table book but it really is not -- it is so much more. Coffee-table books are for browsing. This wonderful story of a family, a man (Pappy VanWinkle) and an industry is one you'll not want to put down. I've had the fortune of meeting Sally when purchasing her book and she is as warm as the words she writes. Get this and read it! It reminds me of Walton's Mountain (the warm, emotional part of the TV epic) and the Sam Walton (of Wal-Mart fame) story all rolled into one!