Weller 12 Year Bourbon

This is a Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon that is 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley. The same mash bill as Maker’s Mark. The founder of Maker’s Mark, Bill Samuels Sr got the mash bill from Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle S. That’s right the man “that” whiskey is named for. In fact, this is the same whiskey as in most of the “Pappy” Van Winkle line, just different barrel management. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, buttered popcorn and a hint of chocolate. It’s not my favorite whiskey fragrance. Taste: On the other hand, the taste is great, sweet, cotton candy, cherries, oak, caramel and vanilla. No real spice to speak of, typical of a wheated bourbon. Easy to sip and enjoy, not terribly complicated, but smooth. Finish: Reasonably long and sweet, a lot of cherry and some milk chocolate. Later there is some honey. Really very nice. This is a very good whiskey that will be enjoyable for those new to whiskey as well as aficionados. I recommend getting one for your home bar, if you can find a bottle. It is not a “poor man’s” Pappy, but it is a well put together whiskey.

Mashbill: Allegedly 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley Setting: Neat in a Glencairn, with two basset hounds dozing next to me Nose: Cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, caramel, and milk chocolate. Really pleasant. It’s strong, without being overpowering. (23/25 points) Taste: Cherries, standard Buffalo Trace cough syrup, oak, vanilla, cinnamon. Pretty much the same as the nose. It’s a little too thin, but otherwise delicious. (46/50 points) Finish: Smooth. Dangerously smooth. There’s no alcohol burn. The finish lingers, with some brown sugar and honeycrisp (the best kind of) apple, as well as some slight tannic oak bitterness. (24/25) points) Conclusion: This would benefit from a higher proof. Otherwise, it’s a damn fine whiskey, and I fully understand why it is so difficult to find. I wouldn’t say that it is particularly unique – it’s just very well executed. If I ever see it on the shelves (or otherwise stumble across it), I’ll certainly buy a bottle. 93/100

Tasted blind next to Old Weller Antique and Elmer T. Lee. Not as bold and unique as the OWA, and not as smooth as the ETL. It played the middle, with a vanilla sweet start and some oak in the back end, made for a great pour, but got lost between the other two, and finished last among the three. Not worth the $100 secondary going rate, but easily worth a retail $35, if you’re ever that lucky...