The legend continues to build around Pappy Van Winkle, a rare bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky that some say is America’s finest example of the genre.
It’s hard to find a bottle or even a sip. Only a select number of bars can wrangle Pappy each year. In Orange County, we’ve uncovered a few locations serving Pappy in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Fullerton and Orange.
Chapter One owner Jeff Hall secured five bottles last week. “I am quite excited. First come first serve and the shots range from $50 to $90,” he said.
Eureka, a regional restaurant chain that sells only American-made spirits and craft beer, has finagled the various labels for most of its restaurants: Old Rip Van Winkle (10 Year); Van Winkle Special Reserve (12 Year); Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye; Pappy Van Winkle (15 Year); Pappy Van Winkle (20 Year) and Pappy Van Winkle (23 Year). Prices start at $35 and up for a two-ounce shot. (Note: Eureka in Redlands does not serve spirits, and the Huntington Beach and Fresno locations have all labels but the 23-year-old Pappy.)
With the exception of the Reserve Rye, Haven Gastropub in Orange has the same bottles available in 2-ounce pours (neat or on the rocks). Prices range from $35 to $145 a pour, Haven said.
Hopscotch in Fullerton has Old Rip Van Winkle, Special Reserve and Pappy Van Winkle, $25 and up. 136 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton.
Eureka O.C. locations: 7631 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach (Bella Terra mall) and 4143 Campus Drive, Irvine (University Center); Chapter One: 227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana; Haven: 190 S. Glassell St., Orange.
Contact the writer: nluna@ocregister.com or @fastfoodmaven on Twitter
