The Cheap Way to Snag Van Winkle Whiskeys in Pennsylvania Lottery Returns

Around this time last year, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) offered shoppers the chance to buy a rare Van Winkle whiskey at prices close to the suggested retail pricing from Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery/Buffalo Trace through a random lottery drawing. The PLCB is now at it once again, with prices this year slightly higher but still a relative bargain compared to secondary market costs, at least as far as these bottlings go.

The PLCB says it has 1,601 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys and bourbons available this year, including, for the first time, packages containing multiple bottles of the very popular, limited-production spirits. As with previous lotteries, you have to be either a Pennsylvania resident or licensee to enter. Said deadline to enter is 11pm on Saturday, December 3, so you have just a handful of days left to jump in if you want to take part.

As for the specifics of what’s on lottery for the right to buy:

• Four packages (two for individual consumers, two for licensees) will include each of the six expressions of the 2016 Pappy release: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. The price for each six-bottle package is $1,999.99.
• Six packages (three for individual consumers, three for licensees) will consist of four Pappy Van Winkle bottles each, including Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. The price for each four-bottle package is $1,199.99.
• Thirty packages (15 for individual consumers, 15 for licensees) will consist of three bottles each, including Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year.  The price for each three-bottle package is $999.99.
• Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, $159.99 each – 20 bottles – 15 for individual consumers, 5 for licensees;
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year, $399.99 each – 56 bottles – 42 for individual consumers, 14 for licensees;
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year, $149.99 each – 95 bottles – 72 for individual consumers, 23 for licensees;
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year, $249.99 each – 176 bottles – 132 for individual consumers, 44 for licensees;
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, $79.99 each – 356 bottles – 267 for individual consumers, 89 for licensees; and
• Van Winkle Special Reserve, $99.99 each – 760 bottles – 570 for individual consumers, 190 for licensees

Lottery participants may opt into one, several, or all drawings, noted the PLCB, and purchase is limited to one package or bottle per participant.