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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
And interesting book that weave family, history, and bourbon! I've been to Kentucky years ago, but after reading this and now being a bigger fan of bourbon I want to go back!
The blurb on the back of the book, describes this as "The story of how Julian Van Winkle III, caretaker of the most coveted cult Kentucky bourbon whiskey in the world, fought to protect his family's heritage and preserve his forebears' taste, in a world where authenticity, like his product, is in very short supply." As someone who picked this up at a bookstore based on the blurb, I find it extremely misleading.
That is really only half the book, the other half is the author's own musing about his life and how he thinks it relates to the journey of Julian Van Winkle and the brand he reinvigorated. The book is oddly put together, not chronologically nor thematically and instead reminds me of how some comedians books veer wildly of course in the middle of a chapter in a stream of consciousness.
It seems as though the book is possibly building up to the tasting of the first batch of PVW created under Julian's purview and how he got there. But, the author barely hints at this during the book and then spends very little time actually discussing the experience, despite him being in the room.
With the title of "Pappyland", I was expecting a broad look at not just the Van Winkle family, but Kentucky and culture of bourbon that encompasses that region. I was sorely disappointed.
That is really only half the book, the other half is the author's own musing about his life and how he thinks it relates to the journey of Julian Van Winkle and the brand he reinvigorated. The book is oddly put together, not chronologically nor thematically and instead reminds me of how some comedians books veer wildly of course in the middle of a chapter in a stream of consciousness.
It seems as though the book is possibly building up to the tasting of the first batch of PVW created under Julian's purview and how he got there. But, the author barely hints at this during the book and then spends very little time actually discussing the experience, despite him being in the room.
With the title of "Pappyland", I was expecting a broad look at not just the Van Winkle family, but Kentucky and culture of bourbon that encompasses that region. I was sorely disappointed.
informative
fast-paced
Good. Informative. Poetic. Personal. Makes you want to be friends with Juliana and believe in the mythology all around whiskey and togetherness in America.
I, too, would probably write a book for access to some of that real old stitzel weller bourbon.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Keep in mind that, at my core, I'm not a nonfiction fan . . . But I decided that id try to become one with this book. It's convinced me to keep going in the genre. It's got some secrets, some back and forth family dynamics held up to a mirror, and some attempts at understanding the legacy of a white Southerner.
I enjoyed this book. However—and I feel extremely horrible saying this—I don’t need all of the detail about the authors life. Some of it I enjoyed, but I think I hold have enjoyed a history of JVW even more.
Cool book for bourbon lovers! I think the author put too much of himself into the book which took away from the Pappy story a bit but overall a quick, easy, and enjoyable read.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced