The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old vs Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.
Choosing between Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old and Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old | Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel... | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 90.4 proof | 80 Proof |
| Price | N/A | $46.00 |
| Rating | 10/10 | 3/10 |
Nose
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old: This is so, so rich: butterscotch, brown butter, fresh dark cherries dipped in milk chocolate, vanilla bean, sherry, Raisinettes, plum jam, figs, dark honey. Yet among it all there’s still a fundamental freshness, lemon pulp and lime zest. There’s a lot of oak character here, but it’s neither spicy nor astringent. In fact, there’s no sting at all – this is the kind of thing you can smell forever and never tire of.
Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...: An incredibly airy scent floats up, not abrasive at all. Stuck my whole nose into the glass actually to be able to pick up on the aromas. Wishing for more to explore here but was able to pinpoint some simple fragrances of rye bread, Wheaties cereal and a plain scone with a touch of drizzled honey. Can trace the maple, but it is predominantly grass clippings and toffee with pancakes soaked in maple syrup in the far distance. Had to sit a very long time with this one. Off the bat, its a sharp face slap of shoe polish and spray paint. But like the guilty pleasures some of us have with gasoline and spray paint, there is a sweetness note that keeps you from running. Continuing to sit with it longer, there is more of the grass clippings with a tad of caramel notes.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old: Ugh, this is so good. The entry still has a bit of that characteristic lemony tartness but this time it’s offset by these very rich umami flavors: cherries soaked in sherry, hickory smoked jerky with a brown sugar liqueur. The mid-palate is enormous, with big leathery/nutty/sherry-like oxidized flavors as well as some very delicate cinnamon and nutmeg spice.
Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...: . It was quite a surprising round up and this tasting was done in proof order along with revisiting some of the expressions over multiple days. The whiskeys of Catskill Provisions (image via Moriah Hilden/Whiskeyful) Tasting Notes: Catskill Provisions Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrels Vital Stats: 80 Proof. 80% Rye and 20% Barley Mash Bill. No aging details. Price is $46 for 750ml bottle. Appearance: Lightest in color of the three as a copper honey gold color. Lots of little legs come out to play. Nose: An incredibly airy scent floats up, not abrasive at all. Stuck my whole nose into the glass actually to be able to pick up on the aromas. Wishing for more to explore here but was able to pinpoint some simple fragrances of rye bread, Wheaties cereal and a plain scone with a touch o
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old: Finish is long and nutty yet somehow refreshing, finally leaving you resting on a delicate dark chocolate note. So delightful it makes you want to delay tasting anything else as long as possible.
Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...: Comments: 80 Proof. 80% Rye and 20% Barley Mash Bill
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old takes the crown with a rating of 10/10 compared to Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...'s 3/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old – Full Review
- Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel... – Full Review
Final Reflections
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Old vs Catskill Provisions (Rye Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrel...: Is the Higher Rating Justified? is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
