New Netflix true crime documentary centres around massive bourbon theft

An infamous, huge theft of highly valuable Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon will be the subject of a new Netflix true crime documentary series, Heist. 

Dropping on Netflix on 14 July, Heist will cover three incredible real life stories over six episodes – two of which are dedicated to ‘Pappygate’, the infamous heist centred around the theft of highly valuable Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon.

The series pledges to tell the true stories of how “ordinary people almost get away with these extraordinary heists.”

In 2013, the massive theft of Kentucky Bourbon had become infamous, making national newspaper headlines. The investigation into the heist even had daily press briefings from police as they attempted to apprehend the perpetrator.

The culprits were eventually tracked down by police in 2015. Gilbert “Toby” Curtsinger, who was an employee at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort for 26 years plead guilty to the audacious heist in 2018. He appears in the documentary alongside Pat Melton, the Sheriff who helped to track him down and bring him to justice.

Incredibly, Food and Wine reports that Curtsinger was sentenced to 15 years for the crime, but served just 90 days before he was released from prison.

“I’m excited to see it because I just hope they showcase the work that the men and women did in our office and what a great job that they did in solving this case,” Pat Melton told local TV news station WKYT News. “At the end of the day, this was bourbon… I never thought, I just never envisioned having to do a press briefing, a daily press briefing on a theft case.” He continued.

Director Nick Frew said:

“We all worked together and said, ‘let’s make this a roller coaster ride. Let’s make every beat of it live and sing and match the other stories.’ It was a fun challenge… We leaned into a sort of Coen Brothers, slightly absurd vibe, creating montages and finding music cues that embodied the moments.”

Heist will be airing on Netflix from 14 July.