Richard-Davenport
Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
September 12, 2023 (edited December 28, 2023)
Continuing to work through the unreviewed bottles in my collection. Cannot believe that this one has been skipped until now.
Also continuing my Pantone color-identification test. Pantone 152 seems to be quite bourbonesque, combining aspects of what I've referred to as burnt orange and mahogany (clear, of course). The color of the Weller Special Reserve is identical to the Larceny Small Batch tasted alongside it.
Sweet nose with graham cracker, cherries, apple pie, oaky vanilla, and a hint of banana on the nose. The palate is neither thin nor viscous in terms of mouthfeel, and the 90 proof is not shy. It's certainly not unpleasant, but I've had smoother bourbons with higher proofs. There are some woody bitter tannins on the finish, in addition to a lingering sweetness.
WSR is a staple in any whisky collection. It's not a complicated sipper, but more of a daily drinker, and something I wouldn't mind putting an ice cube into during the summer months. Compared to the Larceny Small Batch tasted beside it, the WSR is far fruitier on the nose and palate. The mild 90 proof removes it from the cocktail lineup for me, as I prefer something stronger for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
3.75 on the Distiller scale.
N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.
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