Yeeeaahhhhh, no. Despite my boastful post, no, I wouldn't pay that much for a 10 or 12 year whiskey. If it were the 15 yr, I would probably bite my cheek and give myself a little cut on the thigh and then pay up.
In fact, here are some prices I just saw on CL:
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year -$1,250
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year - $850
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year - $650
Pappy Van Winkle 13Year Rye - $475
Pappy Van Winkle 12 year- $425
Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year - $325
Considering the suggested retail price is $79, $119, and $259 for the 12, 20, and 23... that's just ridiculous.
True, but that's a bit like saying a Van Gogh painting is only comprised of $3 worth of paint and a two-dollar frame.
Okay, that simile doesn't really work but once I started typing, I couldn't bear to stop.
It's the scarcity that drives these prices up. It is virtually impossible to buy a bottle for retail without deep connections. I make a habit, when I'm traveling, to pop into liquor stores in hopes that outside of DC, some local yokel will have some. It's only happened once and when the guy pulled out a bottle of the 20 year, I about shat my pants. Then he said he'd let it go for the fair price of one thousand dollars and I sucked my shame right back into my body.