Julian Van Winkle Scuppers Auction For Stolen Pappy

By Richard Thomas

The fate of the most prized whiskey in the Kentucky Bourbon Heist case has been settled. Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton announced yesterday that the Pappy Van Winkle stolen by the Curtsinger ring, with an official value of approximately $26,000 and a real value several times greater, will be destroyed.

The activities of the ring of bourbon thieves and steroid dealers run by longtime Buffalo Trace employee Gilbert Curtsinger was first discovered in October 2013, following a heist of more than 60 cases of Pappy Van Winkle. The ring was cracked and nine of its members indicted in April 2015, with some members agreeing to plea deals in exchange for their testimony.

Unsurprisingly, the fevered poplar interest in Pappy Van Winkle sparked much interest in what would become of the stolen Van Winkle bourbon. The initial word was that it would be destroyed, but the authorities changed tack and announced intentions to auction the whiskey , with proceeds going to charity.

Then Julian Van Winkle III, grandson of the original “Pappy” Van Winkle and proprietor of the Van Winkle brand, intervened. Mr. Van Winkle expressed concern that the stolen stocks may have been tainted and requested they be destroyed.

“I totally understand that and I don’t have a problem with what he’s saying at all,” Melton said.

The stolen Pappy Van Winkle is now headed back on track to be destroyed, although no date has been set as of yet. Although doubtful, the whiskey may yet receive a reprieve.

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