Weller Single Barrel Bourbon

During a recent business trip to the Phoenix area, I took some clients to a high-end steakhouse in Tempe. Their whiskey selection included notable bottles like several Blood Oath editions, EH Taylors, and Weller Single Barrel. I had a taste, but the noisy restaurant environment wasn't conducive to a proper tasting. I resolved to buy a bottle later for a thorough evaluation at home. I hadn't anticipated the exorbitant prices for this and CYPB on the secondary market. However, with Buffalo Trace / Sazerac offerings becoming more accessible, I finally had the chance to purchase a bottle of Weller Single Barrel for myself. It was indeed very expensive. Perhaps not as much as one might expect, though. Is it worth the cost? If I'm spending that much on a bourbon, it needs to be among the world's best. (Coincidentally, this was an unplanned purchase; I had initially intended to buy Elmer T Lee, which I consider one of the best bourbons globally. A review of that one will follow). The aroma is quintessentially Weller: sweet, slightly fruity, yet deeper than the 12-year and less intense than Full Proof or Antique. It's well-balanced and smells delightful. Cherry and citrus zest give way to caramel and oak. Crucially, the oak isn't charred, so the typical astringency found in other bourbons is absent. What a taste. Weller Single Barrel is smooth, sweet, and exceptionally easy to drink. Sweet cherries form the primary flavor. The taste isn't overwhelming but, then again, I've rarely found any Wellers to be excessively so. Caramel and cocoa powder emerge in the middle, transitioning into the finish. As the finish develops, a subtle baking spice emerges, accompanied by drier, more tannic oak and leather notes. Cherry notes persist in the finish, but they are more bittersweet than bright and vibrant. This offers a truly comprehensive flavor experience. I dislike how allocated Weller products have become, forcing us to pay such high prices for bottles like this Single Barrel and CYPB. However, the acclaim is deserved (an unpopular view, perhaps, but so be it). This earns a rare 5 out of 5 from me because it's complex, with absolutely no harsh or jarring elements throughout the entire bourbon. Delicious in every conceivable way.

Consumed neat, as a bar pour. I am trying this so others can become more informed before they spend a lot of money on this spirit. I am a significant admirer of Weller at retail prices, but the moment secondary pricing is involved, I give up. This is not worth your secondary market cost, so if you need that bit of advice before continuing, you can stop reading and enjoy something else:) I am not attempting to criticize Weller, but I truly believe it's hype culture, and by releasing a Single Barrel, they are certainly self-aware. But back to providing an actual tasting review. I get corn, cinnamon, vanilla, and baking spices simultaneously. It's difficult to determine which is most prominent in that mix. Analyzing it further, I could liken it to a sticky cinnamon roll before the frosting is applied. The mouthfeel has a slight oakiness and a bitterness that can be somewhat intense on the initial sips. The heat level is very low. I estimate it just below 100 proof, but I've already had a few tonight, so I might be mistaken. Finish reveals more oak, char, and tobacco. Rumor has it that Weller is prioritizing Single Barrel over Full Proof for 2021. That's disappointing. We will just have to keep waiting for the Single Barrel Full Proof, which in itself should be a guaranteed success. Until then, purchase all the Weller Special Reserve and Olde Vintage Weller you can find AT RETAIL.

This bourbon embodies my ideal. The secondary market pricing is absurd, as is the secondary market in general, but I'll move past that. This single barrel is perfectly balanced, featuring just the right elements that define a bourbon. It has a savoriness that appeals to my palate and a pleasant, subtle sweetness derived from the wheat, which I find to be absolutely perfect. I also detect cinnamon, caramel, and mild oak. Although all Wellers share the same mash bill, this particular single barrel is bottled at 97 proof, which I believe is ideal for this specific bourbon.

A very mellow aroma of caramel, vanilla, orange, and citrus, with no alcohol burn to contend with. The palate offers caramel drizzle, with notes of orange and a hint of banana nut bread. The finish is medium and subtly caramel and orange. I had hoped this wouldn't be as good as it is, so I wouldn't be so eager to find it, but I would be thrilled to get this at its original suggested price. Instead, I encounter these individuals attempting to resell it for over $800. While I'm open to trading, I would never participate in the reselling market. Regardless, it's worth trying.

The aroma is very typical of Weller - oak, ripe fruit, vanilla, a touch of leather, all coming across as being very rich. The palate is light and fills the mouth with creamy oak, ripe fruit and a slight black pepper. It is slightly chewy, staying mostly to the back of the mouth. It's not overly deep or complicated, but how full it is is where it shines. The finish is long with a lingering pepper and creamy oak that can be coaxed out with a chew.

Aroma - classic vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, baking spices, cinnamon Palate - sweet candied fruit, cinnamon roll, full-bodied (but less viscous than OWA), notes of peanut brittle and a tiny hint of chocolate Finish - long, especially for a 97 proof Good quality but not worth the secondary market price… OWA offers greater complexity and a better mouthfeel, with the added benefit of availability