Weller CYPB

I still possess this, my sole bottle of Weller CYPB. It's currently a quarter full. Let it be known that I am a significant Weller enthusiast. I like to think I was an early adopter, joining the trend before it became mainstream. I haven't tasted my bottle of CYPB in over two years (my last review was 9/3/23). I've already written a couple of wine reviews this evening and desired some bourbon with oatmeal cookies, and this bottle was right there in one of my liquor cabinets. (I've largely abandoned the idea of saving bottles for "special occasions"--living for today, and all that). "Create Your Perfect Bourbon"--in today's environment (at least in the US), this doesn't seem achievable. One faction would have chosen Old Crow, and another Pappy. (I won't reveal which group aligned with Old Crow). However, in this instance, cost aside, the crowd-sourced creation has triumphed. This is an exceptional bourbon; I've rated it a full point higher than my previous review (I have no idea how I arrived at a 3.25 rating previously). What the collective group of "you" in "Your" has accomplished here is remarkable. This is excellent bourbon. Specifically, it's wheated bourbon. And the uniformity of the group's input results in a bourbon that exhibits typical wheated bourbon characteristics without many distinctive variations. It has the characteristic color of bourbon. It presents caramel apple. Chocolate-covered cherries. A subtle hint of cool mint. A pleasant Kentucky embrace (95 proof). A slight espresso bite on the finish. All as anticipated. But all, much like the children in Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon stories, are above average. Significantly so. This is very good bourbon. It is also very expensive bourbon. And as I noted in my review two years ago, it's best enjoyed at a friend's house—if he's a hospitable friend. The ultimate verdict: would I purchase it again? No. Unless I won the lottery. Or decided against buying more wine. Or a boat. Or making further modifications to my car. As my ex-wife used to say: "you're just going to piss it all out anyway." That's a fact. But YOLO. Note: This tasting was not conducted in a Glencairn glass as is my usual practice, but in a substantial hand-blown rocks glass. No need to worry: I will not endorse the producer.

Weller C.Y.P.B. ("Craft Your Perfect Bourbon") was a consumer-driven project by Buffalo Trace some years ago. They asked people to select their preferred mash bill, age statement, rickhouse level, and proof. CYPB is made with wheat, aged on the top floors, is eight years old, and bottled at 90 proof. I haven't tasted this bourbon in a while; my last review was on June 20, 2022. I sampled it with some friends recently and thought it was considerably better than I remembered, though I wasn't taking notes. I made a point to try it again a couple of days later. Appearance: Clear caramel color. Nose: Exhibits 1970s-style ambrosia fruitiness with notes of tangerine, maraschino cherry, and mini marshmallows, alongside vanilla, spice cake, and cool mint. Palate: Some toffee and espresso notes are present, along with the alcohol, leading to a finish with caramel, vanilla, and char. Perhaps the perception of it being "significantly better" the other night was influenced by pre-existing drinks. It's still improved from my memory, but not outstanding, and certainly not a good value given the price (around $700 on the resale market). It's something that all bourbon enthusiasts should experience, but I suggest trying it at a friend's place. 3.75 on the scale (value excluded). Note: Tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I finally got around to reviewing this. I wanted to make sure to get through at least half the bottle before doing so. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed drinking this one. Probably my favorite of the brand variants thus far. The aroma starts off with lots of baking spice. Getting more whiffs in I got additional characters consisting of brown sugar, dried fruit, sweet tobacco, and caramel. I was delighted to find that some of these also made up the tasting notes within. Particularly, the baking spice and tobacco. In addition, notes of vanilla, earth, oak, and leather emerged. The finish was nice and long with a slight dryness to it. Smooth overall with little heat. I'm sad to know that the bottle is almost at its end. I would love to have a constant bottle of this in my cabinet, but secondary pricing doesn't make it possible. Alas, I can revel in my enjoyment of my first bottle. Perhaps one day the prices will come down and acquiring another will become reality.

Does the Weller CYPB's profile vary by release year? My experience with CYPB didn't align with the majority of tasting notes I'd encountered. Here's my tasting of CYPB from a Glencairn in 2023, served neat at a restaurant. The aroma is sweet and hints at the flavors to come. Butterscotch and chocolate, with a touch of coconut and fresh pear, awaken the senses. The taste begins with a delightful sweetness. Honey, butterscotch, and caramel give way to a subtle syrupy note of canned peach. You can detect a hint of Weller 12 in the mid-palate, which is a positive attribute. The finish becomes drier and spicier, featuring baking spices. A slight oak tannin touches the palate, resulting in a well-balanced and enduring finish. Wow! It's clear why CYPB is so sought after and hard to find. This is easily among the most delicious spirits I've sampled so far.

The highly coveted C.Y.P.B. bottle from Buffalo Trace, known as "Craft Your Perfect Bourbon," was named after a marketing effort where consumers designed their ideal bourbon online. This Wheated Bourbon comes in at 95 proof (47.5% ABV). The aroma presents exquisite red fruits and tobacco, creating a beautiful scent profile with notes of cherry, lemon, and a pleasant spice. The palate delivers intense red fruits and a powerful rye spice. The finish is marked by scorching tongue spices, red fruits, and syrup. Overall, this is an elegant and satisfying dram, a well-made spirit with an intriguing blend of spices and red fruits. I rate it a strong 92 out of 100.

Received a sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: In addition to the usual vanilla and caramel, there's a strong note that most resembles root beer. Palate: Root beer continues, with cinnamon and baking spices. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7/10 - The root beer note is interesting, but not enough to really elevate this bourbon above its contemporaries. If offered a bottle at MSRP I'd probably pick it up, but this isn't worth chasing or paying secondary for.