William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2017)

Nose - (undiluted) Strong dark caramel, sweet vanilla, strawberry sweets, thick cherry cola, subtle leather. (with water) Mellows the upfront sweetness, otherwise largely unchanged. Taste - (undiluted) Fiery sweet fruit and cinnamon, cherry cola syrup, dark caramel, strawberry candies, spicy cinnamon candies, dark simple syrup. (with water) Heat significantly decreases, dark chocolate appears, cherry cola syrup, cinnamon, strawberries. Finish - (undiluted) Long-lasting warm fruity cinnamon tingle, faint oak, sweet cherry cola syrup, strawberry candy. (with water) Sweet dark chocolate-covered cherry/vanilla caramel, mild leathery tannins/bitterness, coffee undertones. Score - 91/100 Final Thoughts - This is precisely what I adore in a bourbon. Finding cherry cola and strawberry notes in a bourbon is incredible, and when paired with the rich caramel character, it's a true after-dinner treat. The elevated proof lets you adjust it to your preference, and since there are no unpleasant tastes, the flavor profile continues to develop as you enjoy it. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes, but not at the outrageous secondary market rates

Vibrant golden amber. Stuck to the glass, a few sparse, slow moving legs. Nose overflows with caramel, butterscotch, fig preserves, dried apricot and plenty of barrel. The barrel notes are a nice balance of wood and char. In fact, the nose's incredible balance unto itself is remarkable. Starts sweet, with salted caramel and creamed corn, then warms the mouth and chest showing some spicier notes mid palate. An incredibly long finish and lots of stickiness. Reminiscent of an old oak log sprouting mushrooms on the forest floor. A well-worn leather couch certainly comes to mind as well. The butterscotch shows up on and off throughout the entire experience. It is definitely a work of art. It doesn't do for me the same thing that another expression does, but that doesn't take away from the experience in any way.

Nose: Vanilla wafer cookies, fruit punch, cherry, caramel, powdered sugar Palate: Rainier cherries, caramel, vanilla, chewy toffee, black pepper, honey Finish: Extended, strong finish with honey, caramel, and strong spice What a fantastic aroma. I could detect this scent for ages, and it's certainly the peak of this bourbon. The taste is robust, chewy, and layered. Lovely cherry and very prominent vanilla flavors. The finish is also unforgettable, as it goes on forever with lingering spice and caramel notes. Overall, quite incredible, with the aroma being the primary highlight for me. For the suggested retail price, it is absolutely a good buy, but I would never spend $700+ on it.

A rich, 12-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, part of their Antique Collection. It starts sweet with notes of wheat, caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee & pipe tobacco; a spicy middle adds notes of biscuit, dark chocolate, marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs & dates; leading to a sweet & smooth end with notes of caramel, marshmallow, leather & rose. July / December 2018 / January 2019 / July 2022.

Acquired a taste from a friend at a recent birthday party. This goes down pretty easily for such a high proof. Intriguing in that there is a sweet and salty characteristic with every sip. This sensation reminded me of a really well-balanced chocolate-covered pretzel. Highly recommended if you can snag a taste from a friend but not sure I would pay extra compared to something like a stagg jr. Ultimately, this is still a wheated bourbon. 4/5

Big cherry, vanilla, and caramel aromas are present. The palate echoes the caramel and cherry notes, with the addition of plum appearing somewhat later. This is an intensely sweet and flavorful drink. I'm unsure how to articulate the remaining taste components. The finish is extended and warming, with all the initial flavors eventually giving way to brown sugar and wood. Add only a small amount of water, even with the elevated proof. Truly outstanding.