Weller Full Proof Bourbon

I obtained a bottle of Weller Full Proof through a trade with another Bourbon fan. This is one of those bottles that has been quite difficult to find over the last three years. So, I was very happy to finally get my hands on one... I compared this Full Proof to Weller Antique 107 tonight. The Antique was superior and has earned the title of, "My Favorite Weller Bottle". However, this Full Proof is still impressive. I've decided it's like "Antique 107 with a higher alcohol content". It's a caramel powerhouse on the palate, with a more noticeable ethanol scent than the Antique. After the direct comparison, I switched back to the Full Proof to finish the evening, and I'm really enjoying it. Overall, it was well worth the wait to acquire. If you can purchase it at the suggested retail price, you'd be foolish not to buy it. But don't pay more than that. I was fortunate to get it in a trade. However, I would never pay inflated secondary market prices for it. I've concluded that no bottle is worth paying double, triple, or even quadruple the suggested retail price.

After finally receiving my own bottle of Weller Full Proof, I was eager to try my first taste. As is typical for a good high-proof bourbon, the nose is rich with sweet ethanol heat, where vanilla and cinnamon mingle with caramel. The aroma isn't overly complex but does seem to foreshadow the taste. The full proof definitely delivers a potent sensation on the palate. Vanilla opens the taste, which then bursts with baking spices, tannic oak, and a peculiar tartness. It's not particularly fruity, but it does have a taste akin to underripe cherries. The finish leans towards dry. Again, hot cinnamon tingles the tongue, and tannic oak and leather take prominence, but as they fade, a subtle milk chocolate aftertaste lingers. Weller Full Proof is certainly distinctive and potent, perhaps a bit too potent if Weller 12 represents your ideal bourbon.

Snagged this store pick alongside Eagle Rare for a great price, about $69. Nose: It's actually 114 proof. I should compare it to Weller 107. The aroma is hotter than I figured. It has a wheaty scent, as anticipated. Perhaps hints of sweet grass or scallions. Palate: The 114 proof (which is low for a full proof in my opinion) is more noticeable when tasting. Some of that distinct grassy taste comes through, which I suppose is what happens to the wheat after extended aging. Overall, it's sweet and smooth. Finish: The finish isn't remarkable, but the lingering mouthfeel could be the best part of the tasting.

Appearance: Rich copper hue. Smell: Smooth chocolate, airy candy floss. Fragrant vanilla and comforting toffees. Taste: Brown sugar and syrup lead the way, with more of the sweet candy floss flavors. Barely perceptible earthy hint. End: Lingering and unhurried, with a heat that truly builds as you experience it. Still a bit earthy (but not offensively so). With water: Some sweet cherry liqueur but still predominantly warm pastries -- caramel is prominent. The taste is livelier and more vibrant, with a succulent, gentle end.

A friend gave me a sample. Glassware: Glencairn, allowed to sit for 15 minutes. Appearance: A medium-dark amber hue. Smell: Notes of caramel, apple, and a hint of nuttiness. Taste: Flavors of clove and cinnamon candy. Aftertaste: Quite warm and exceptionally prolonged. With a splash: Oaky tannins emerge, along with the nutty aroma detected earlier. General impression: 9/10 - This widely acclaimed bottle, a store selection, truly meets expectations. At its suggested retail price, it would be a definite purchase; I just have to win a lottery for it. The extended finish is its standout feature.

Sampled at a drinking establishment. STRAIGHT UP SMELL - Red berries, Concord grape, red berries, nectar, and burnt sugar. MOUTHFEEL - The grape and raspberry notes emerge first on your tongue, shifting to strawberry and concluding with nectar and burnt sugar. Wonderfully intricate, opulent, velvety, and sugary. AFTERTASTE - Sugary nectar and burnt sugar. Lingering PURCHASE? - Definitely! Particularly at its suggested price, but despite its excellence, I would hesitate to pay current resale prices for this.