William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2018)

I've been blessed to try a lot of world class whiskies lately, to the point it's going to seem like I'm very excitable and indiscriminate in my 5 star ratings. But this earns it. N: Coffee, nutmeg, cardamom, maple, banana bread, candied pecans. P: Rich dark fruits, cinnamon, warming pepper, woody tannins, tremendous balance. The high proof is snugly hidden. F: long finish from the pepper, molasses sweetness, and barrel note almond-like bitterness.

Verdict: balanced but spicy sweet like a stir fry. Not exactly what I was expecting. Very well crafted, enjoyable, but I won’t hunt for it. Not exactly the profile I am drawn to. I’d reach for GTS first. 1 oz pour, neat in a rocks glass. Medium amber gold, about average for bourbon. Oily. Long, slow legs. In a rocks glass, so not ideal, but the nose is mostly muted. A simple honey note and a hint of toast. Pleasant but not special. No ethanol. Stuck my nose in there for 30 seconds and no burn, a surprise for the proof. The taste is quite spicy and complex. Some from the proof, some just the flavor. Tart red berries, cayenne, and honey. Sweetness is just a component, not a driving force like some bourbons. A hint of medicine/licorice, and very noticeable barrel notes throughout. Some oak tannins, but the char is more prominent and persistent. A predictably long finish that leaves the lips and roof of the mouth tingling. Revisiting after a just a couple drops of water from a cocktail straw, the bite of the spice is tamed, and sweetness takes over. Easier to hold on the tongue and enjoy. Wish I had a bigger pour to keep proofing it down and explore it further.

Nose: Vanilla, pencil shavings, maple syrup, slightly nutty very sweet but for 62% the alcohol is not aggressive. palate: the sweetness of the vanilla is present but there is a dry tannic note that lasts. it has a slight chocolate note and a wood spice like cinnamon.