The Pappy Van Winkle phenomenon has exploded in the past decade which has seen prices go the same way as age-statement Japanese whisky – through the roof and with very limited supply and huge demand dictating no end in sight.
If you’ve ever been confused on how to date Pappy bottles and make sense of their dot matrix codes, and if you’ve ever wondered when the green glass bottles were released and when the wax top bottles went out of production etc, then look no further. 😉
When we began researching how to read the dating codes on various Pappy bottles throughout the decades, we came across some brilliant information from whiskyid.com. They perfectly deciphered the Van Winkle coding strategy with defined clarity which suited our whiskey infused brains to a tee. Hopefully the following helps you as much as it helped us.
From whiskyid.com
Date Codes
Dating Van Winkle bottles post-2007 is made relatively easy based on “laser codes” or “dot matrix codes” printed onto the bottles. These codes indicate the bottling line, date, and time the bottle was filled, but can sometimes be difficult to find and/or read. The date codes are usually printed on the back of the bottle below the label, though occasionally they’re above the label or under the label itself. A bright flashlight shining though the bottle from the other side will often aid in finding the code.
There are two versions of the date code layout, each with its own decoding schema:
Pre-2012: K2250910:22
In this example, the K = the bottling line, 225 = the 225th day of the year, 09 = the year bottled, 10:22 = the time bottled in military time.
2012 and on: B1312011:11K
Here, the B = Buffalo Trace, 13 = 2013, 120 = the 120th day of the year, 11:11 = the time bottled in military time, K = the bottling line.
Prior to 2007 Buffalo Trace wasn’t using Date codes, so it’s a little tougher. You can see the timeline for more clues.
Timeline:
-1983- Julian Van Winkle III started bottling at the Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg.
-1989- Old Rip Van Winkle 15-year-old was released.
-1991- Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot A was released (one release only), followed by Lot B.
-1994- Pappy Van Winkle 20 year was released in light green glass bottle, rye recipe bourbon.
-1997- Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 was released, preceded by the 12-year Old Tyme Rye. Rumoured to be Medley-distilled.
-1998- Pappy Van Winkle 23 year was released in light green glass and rye recipe bourbon.
-1999- Pappy Van Winkle expressions changed to using clear glass bottles.
-2002- With the merger, the operation moved to Buffalo Trace. Whiskey bottled prior to the move is labelled “Lawrenceburg, KY” and after the move, “Frankfort, KY.”
-2004- Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year was discontinued and replaced with Pappy Van Winkle 15 year. The letters and numbers on the ORVW15 bottles are reportedly not an indicator of bottling age. ORVW squat bottles generally have a number molded in the glass at the bottom of the bottle however. Also, in 2004, the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye was tanked after having continued to age despite being labelled as 13 years old. It was rumoured to have been mingled with Cream of Kentucky (Bernheim) rye. See timeline graphic below for more info.
-2005- The last regular-production wax top Pappy 23 was released, with an “A” number and Frankfort on the label.
-2007- Buffalo Trace bottling lines started using dot matrix codes on their bottles.
-2009- The 114 proof Old Rip Van Winkle 23-year decanter set was released in the fall, limited to 1200 sets.
-2010- No Pappy 15 was bottled this year. All 15 sold during 2010 was bottled in 2009.
-2012- Dot matrix code format switched to new layout. Also, the 10 year/90 proof version was discontinued, leaving only the 10-year, 107 proof.
-2013- The Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year started using the tall cognac-style bottle like all the other expressions. Prior to that, ORVW 10 used the short, stout bottles. The spring release was cancelled in lieu of only a larger fall release henceforth.
Other tips
There’s one other clue to the dating of Pappy Van Winkle: raised lettering on the label. The words “Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve” were embossed into the label so they protruded until around 2006, when a new label style was introduced that used flat labels.
So, there you have it friends. Hopefully this leads to some educated buying and discussions when drinking with fellow whiskeyphites.
The Old Barrelhouse
I recently purchased a 12 year old pappy. I can’t seem to find the laser etched numbers you describe. I don’t find anything jus above or below the small back label. I see some numbers on the bottom of the bottle. Is that it?
Thank you.
As you can imagine. The bottle was expensive. Want to make sure I didn’t get ripped off.
Jay Merker.
Hi Jay, depending on the year of the release, these codes can be either engraved on the glass (last few years) or done with ink which can easily get wiped off by mistake while cleaning the bottle which will be a problem as then you don’t know which batch it was. That however doesn’t mean that the bottle is a counterfeit.
I purchased a 12 year old van winkle in 2018 through my state liquor stores lottery and need help with reading the laser code L181280107:347 REF [A 5C VT 15C
Hi Lynne,
It looks like bottling line L, year 2018, 128th day (May the 6th ) and 01:07am. Not too sure what 347 stands for but it could be the bottle number.
Thanks so much. I’ve been saving it. I thought it could be worth more than what I paid for it. Maybe time to open and enjoy
Im trying to figure out the year of my 12 y.o. Van Winkle. There are no engraved numbers, and no ink numbers. Its definitely older 2004 ish. There is a number on the front label in the bottom right hand corner 04.6084, does this mean anything? Any other suggestions?
Hi Todd, all bottles should have the ink and lately the engraving of when they were bottled. We are not familiar with the number on the label unfortunately. It is also common that the ink code was wiped out, it is very easy to do that. Also check with a flashlight behind labels, perhaps there is something that you may have missed. The very first releases don’t have any codes but we are talking Lot “A” and Lot “B” from the 90’s. Hope this helps and all the best. Ross
I have an unopened bottle of 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle with bag. The code on the bottle below the label reads 52120712:15 or S2120712:15
THE BAR CODE is 8931912374
Could you tell me the bottling date and approximate value
THANKS
Hi Michael, looks like you have 2021 release as for the price, unfortunately we can’t really advise on that as it is so volatile.
Anyway, you have one very rare bottle of whiskey, enjoy 🙂
I have a few bottles of Lot B that laser code starts with L or maybe LL. Can you help with what the year is? L192670118:40D
Hi Chris, you have 2019 release Lot B
i have read all the comments and still not sure how old my bottle is. 23yr old no laser engraving #C8355 in red ink
Hi Scott, we had one C Series and it is 2008. Have a look at our Museum and we have it there 🙂
I have a bottle of old Rip Van Winkle. Bar code 089319123679 could you tell me the age. Thanks
Hi Kevin,
The barcode on the label wouldn’t give us the age unfortunately. Is there more information you can share?
Which bottle is it, does it have a laser code. Is it in clear glass or green glass? Does it have a bottle number in the front label (only 23yo has that and few very old releases)?
Take care
Ross
I have a couple of Pappy 23’s one is labeled
#2323 Lawrenceburg, KY the other # B 3556 Frankfort, KY Both red ink and seem embossed. As well as Van Winkle Special reserve Lawrenceburg, KY. Lot B 12 year. Any info would be helpful.
Hi Grant,
You have few beautiful older bottlings in your possession, hope they have been looked after 🙂
23yo was first released in 1998 in green glass bottle which changed to clear glass in 1999. The #2323 bottle you have should have gold wax instead of gold foil which makes it very early release.
The 23 year old #2323 as well as the Lot B with Lawrenceburg, KY are pre 2002, that’s when ORVW merged with Buffalo Trace and the labels became Frankfort, KY.
The #B 3556 is from around 2006 as they started with the #A from 2005.
As for the Lot B, if the label states Lawrenceburg, KY then the bottle is prior 2002 and if it is in clear glass, then it is between 1999 and 2002. If it is in green glass, then it is 1998 or before. Lot A was released in 1991 which then became Lot B in 1993 (not sure exactly)
Hope this helps!
Ross
Thank you very helpful. They have been kept dark in box and bag. Yes the 2323 is a gold wax.
One I did not mention as well is a Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 15 Year Lawrenceburg Ky No: N666 handprinted serial #.
Love those pre BT ORVW 15yo bottles, they are one of my favorites! Never seen the letter N but from what we know, it’s definitely one of the last releases from Lawrenceburg and i’d guess yours is from around 2001 which were also non-chill filtered.
Hi I have a bottle of 23 with the bottle number K5912. Can you help me with that code?
Thanks
Hi Carole,
You have a 2019 release and the code should be somewhere on the glass below the back label and sometimes little bit on the side. It should start with L19…
Hope this helps, Ross
I’ve just acquired a bottle but the dotted code on the bottle doesn’t seem to fit either format. Code seems to be: B160701244M. I could send an image through so you can confirm.
Hi Kenny,
2016, 70th day of that year 12:44 is the time and then M is the bottling line
Hope this helps 🙂
Ross
When did they switch to “PROOF” from “proof” on the label. Thanks for your time.
We’ve seen some bottles with both around mid 80’s but I don’t think there is a cut off line as some products stopped and some continued for longer.
Good day! Freeman here! Hope all is well. I acquired a bottle of 10 year Old Rip Van Winkle. Bottle code is
L222310110:14D Any help with what exactly I got?
Preciate it in advance!
Tony Freeman
Hi Tony, you got the 2022 release
Okay so 22 is the year, 231 is the day and I see the time is 10:14 but do you happen to know what the 01 between the day and time is? That’s throwin me off some.
Thanks in advance!
From what we have found, 01 looks like the first bottling of that day but again, not much information about it.
Awesome! Works for me pard! Preciate all your help!
Hi Ross, I think I have a 2022 Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year? Laser code:
L 22 234 0119 23D
Following your instructions…
Bottling line L, year 2022, 234th day and 01:19am?
Not sure what 23D means?
Thank You!
Ok, here we have
L- Lawrenceburg
22 – 2022
234 – day
01 – still researching this but it looks like 1st bottling of that day
19:23 – time
D – bottling line
Ross, I also have what I thought was a 2020 20 year, can’t find a laser etched code, but found a black printed code that doesn’t seem to fit the formula?
Code: B160780741M
Thanks again!
Definitely not 2020 Thomas, those black codes are just before the edged ones.
B – Buffalo Trace
16 – 2016
078 – day
07:41 – time
M -bottling line
Wow, interesting! Thank you very much Ross for your help on both bottles!
Hi Ross. I have a Pappy van Winkle family reserve 20y old with the code: L192730113:16M.
If I understands it correctly it’s a bottle from 2019, 273rd day of that year, don’t know what 01 would stand for and 13:16 is the time and the M is for what?
Grateful for any help, cheers!
Hey Donny,
L- Lawrenceburg
2019 – year
273 – the day of that year
01 – I’m not 100% sure but I believe that stands for the first bottling of that day
13:16 is the time
M – bottling line
Hi,
Just picked up a bottle of 15 year old pappy van winkle and want to know the age.
L2223 01 1327D
Ref IA 5C VT 15C
Hi Dom,
Your 15yo Pappy is from 2022
Regards
Ross
Hello, I have a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 15 year that I’ve had for many years years. The only code that I see on the bottle is a black laser code on the front of the bottle, just below the right of the label that reads K0780914:18. Any idea what year this bottle may be or any other good info? Thanks!
Hi Jess,
We have that exact code explained in our blog however, see below:
K – bottling line
078 – 78th day of the year
09 – the year 2009
14:18 – the time bottled
We have a 12 year old Lot “B” the label has a c.11080 – is this the 2008 special reserve like the C series of the 23 year?
Hi Stephanie,
Never seen Lot B with a bottle number on the front label before so not sure what bottling you have.
Maybe send us an email with a pic or two so we can have a look.
Could be some very special once off release 🙂
Have a bottle of PVW 23 year old with gold wax seal and bottled in Frankfurt. Bottled sometime between 2002 and summer 2005. Bottle is #B830. Would like to get a closer bottling date if possible.
Hi Dan,
I know of no letter was bottled from 1998 to 2003, letter A was Dec 2005 and Jan 2006 so my guess yours would be 2006. Transition from gold wax to gold foil took place in the fall of 2007. Great bottle by the way!
Hi Ross,
You are probably tired of replying to these , but Im hoping you’ll take one more 🙂
I have a bottle of 12 year old “Lot B” . I dont see the markings that youve described, only the barcode: 8931912373… I could send pictures?… just hoping i didnt get ripped off :)…thank you Ross.
R
Hi Robert, send some pics to me via contact@theoldbarrelhouse.com.au and we can take it from there
L22236010801D I know that the L is the line 22 is the year 2022, the 236 is the day of the year, and that’s where I’m lost. What does the rest mean?
Hi Kelly,
L- Lawrenceburg
22 – year 2022
236 – the day of that year
01 – I’m not 100% sure but I believe that stands for the first bottling of that day
08:01 is the time
D – bottling line
Good Morning,
I have 2 bottles of 20 yr I purchased the day they were delivered to my liquor store probably 9 years ago. One conformed to the digital code B1416107:25k. the other bought at the same time and place has a code of b12 037 11.14n located at the bottom just above the base. Is the spacing abnormal?
Hi John,
Spacing is fine, that has been seen before, B14 is 2014 and the other one is 2012
Regards
Ross
Were the 2012 bottlings of PVW 20 from Stitzel Weller?
The 20yo started with whiskey from the Old Boone Distillery back in the day and in my opinion, there is no SW juice there at all. No one really knows the recopies to be honest. The whiskey that scored 99 mark in Chicago back then was apparently purchased from Maker’s Mark who got it from Old Boone. We’ll never really know their secrets 🙂
Could you tell me how old my bottles of Pappy are:
12 yr – L181280112:477
15 yr – L172560110:067
20 yr – L18233011020N
Thanks so much.
Hi Kevin,
12 yr – L181280112:477 is 2018 release
15 yr – L172560110:067 is 2017 release
20 yr – L18233011020N is 2018 release
The first two numbers after the letter give you the year of release
pappy van winkle 12 year lot b 90.4 proof
l92660ll2:38d
Can any one tell me what year is this? Thanks in advance
Hi Lou,
It looks like some numbers are missing from the code so not exactly sure. It could be 2019