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174 reviews for:
Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last
Wright Thompson
3.76 AVERAGE
174 reviews for:
Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last
Wright Thompson
3.76 AVERAGE
This book is falsely advertised. It’s not a book about the infamous Pappy Van Winkle as the description suggests. It’s about all things Kentucky; bourbon, horses, rolling fields, and the history of the state. Okay, some background or build up to main attraction is fine. However, that’s not how that information is used; it’s repeated several times throughout the book as it lacks organization and structure. The book is also about Wright Thompson’s life, which I have no F’s to give. I wanted to read this book to learn more about the business and life of the Van Winkle family, not for the author to pontificate about his father, uncle, and having a child. The author also annoyingly brags about his relationship with Julian Van Winkle. It’s as if the writing of this book was just used as an excuse to develop a friendship with Julian and get free bourbon. The author comes off as pompous and pretentious. At the beginning of the book, Thompson explains some difficulty getting the book idea sold to publishers because there was no interest in a book only about Pappy. Which makes sense, because there apparently isn’t much to learn. So it seems in order to sell this book, Thompson threw anything he could think of into it. There are so many insignificant and uninteresting antidotes throughout this book, which appear to be there just to fill pages. If you want to learn anything about PVW in this book, don’t blink because you might miss it!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Wright Thompson’s prose is unparalleled. Reading this book was like enjoying a glass of fine bourbon. You’re met intensely with every feeling you expected, and surprised by so many others.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Loved it and made me feel so nostalgic for Kentucky. I almost wrote “home” because I suppose it always will be.
I don’t drink alcohol, never have and I’m closer to 50 than 21. My brother is a wine connoisseur who just told me about friends of his who shared a rare bottle with him bc for reasons lost on me, it had an expiration date. I didn’t get how he spoke about that experience until I finished this book. The sharing of a really good bottle of aged, rare alcohol is special bc that’s it. There is no more and it’s gone forever never to be replicated exactly. I get it now. Really enjoyed how this book intertwined two family histories, presents, and futures.
I've had a glass of the 23 year old Pappy.. Now I know why it was life changing! But, my go to within my budget is Colorado Straight, This Book is well written and this history is great. Since Bourbon is my drink this is a must read for those who've had the opportunity even once to taste even the 12 year old which is really good too.
informative
fast-paced
“Vodka is for the skinny and scotch is for the strivers and bourbon is for the homesick.”
Great, quick read…family, farming and faith.
Great, quick read…family, farming and faith.
I rarely quit reading books but I couldn't continue after getting 1/3rd through it. I expected a book on a bourbon family legacy and, instead, got a mish-mash of family stories - some related to bourbon, and too many about Mr. Thompson's angst.
If I were friends with Mr. Thompson, the stories might have been interesting ... maybe.
I feel like I git sold a pig in a poke on this one.
If I were friends with Mr. Thompson, the stories might have been interesting ... maybe.
I feel like I git sold a pig in a poke on this one.
Very misleading title. This book was more of a long-form magazine article that only reveals the very bare minimum. Also half the book is about the author's personal life and has nothing to do with the bourbon he's talking about or even the bourbon industry.
This is a book about one of the rarest bourbons in the world—but it’s not just a book about bourbon. It’s a book about the passage of time, about family and fatherhood, about loss and sacrifice and regret, and about making peace with our past and about striving towards our vision of the future.
When I started this book, I expected a straightforward, in-depth look at how PVW is now made and blended. But instead, this book is a deeply personal look at Thompson’s relationship with Julian Van Winkle III, and about family and growing older, about our relationships with our fathers and our children, and about what kind of world we want to create and what kind of legacy we want to leave behind when we die. As usual, Wright Thompson’s prose is gorgeous and deeply heartfelt, and he does a wonderful job of humanizing both Julian Van Winkle and the Pappy Van Winkle whiskey itself.
If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the production of Pappy Van Winkle or why it’s as rare as it is, you might not find what you’re looking for. But if you want to know about Julian Van Winkle, the man currently leading the blending and distribution of PVW, and about his journey to rediscover the taste of the whiskey Stitzel-Weller used to make and the love that very clearly goes into the process, you’ll enjoy this book immensely.
When I started this book, I expected a straightforward, in-depth look at how PVW is now made and blended. But instead, this book is a deeply personal look at Thompson’s relationship with Julian Van Winkle III, and about family and growing older, about our relationships with our fathers and our children, and about what kind of world we want to create and what kind of legacy we want to leave behind when we die. As usual, Wright Thompson’s prose is gorgeous and deeply heartfelt, and he does a wonderful job of humanizing both Julian Van Winkle and the Pappy Van Winkle whiskey itself.
If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the production of Pappy Van Winkle or why it’s as rare as it is, you might not find what you’re looking for. But if you want to know about Julian Van Winkle, the man currently leading the blending and distribution of PVW, and about his journey to rediscover the taste of the whiskey Stitzel-Weller used to make and the love that very clearly goes into the process, you’ll enjoy this book immensely.