William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2018)

It smells rich and decidedly woody. The mouthfeel is as expected, with abundant wood alongside that sweet alcohol richness, a touch of rye, coffee, some chocolate, apples, a little cherry, plenty of cinnamon, and a dash of clove. It certainly possesses enough bitterness to counter the sweetness without being overpowering. The finish is clean, despite being somewhat bitter. This is an outstanding whiskey, particularly within the bourbon realm, yet it does not remotely justify its cost. This is that rare instance where adding water enhances flavor rather than revealing it was solely reliant on alcohol for its quality. The flavor profile includes some pleasant spice that remains well-managed and hints of maple that are not overwhelming. It has a robust smokiness, but it is a quality attribute. The flavors are all well-integrated, with some even standing out as quite agreeable. This is a significant achievement that I will not purchase at this price point. The richness is exemplary, especially when paired with the sweetness. It bears a slight resemblance to Blanton's and also to Glenfarclas. This is a spirit masterfully crafted. I still favor Glenfarclas 25, but this surpasses Blanton's by a considerable margin. Its flavor is less mineralic than the Wild Turkey 9 Festival Release. In direct comparison, I find the Weller superior for that reason. Individually, the Wild Turkey is delightful, though. I can detect the maple and toffee in this (among the deep wood and smoke). The palate is rich with a beautifully balanced amount of spice. There's a bit of mineral and rye, but they are subdued. The caramel and maple appear initially, but their absence on the finish is not an issue. The spice is moderate and perfectly balanced. There's a good measure of vanilla, but not an excessive amount of fruit. The fruit does make its presence known, however. It has a somewhat toasty or perhaps coffee-like roasted character. There are some hints of apple and red fruit. Water improves the flavor. It still falls slightly short of Glenfarclas 25, but only just. This is a truly remarkable bourbon. The flavor is indeed bitter due to the intense richness and smoke, but it is so delicious and possesses enough complexity to be a joy to drink. At any dilution, it remains tasty, demonstrating its adaptability. The rye and mineral notes that emerge integrate well, even though they would typically be drawbacks. With sufficient water, the rye, mineral, and spice dominate, making this a great but imperfect drink; however, achieving excellence across all water levels is too much to expect. It is not a flawless bourbon, but it is the closest I have encountered.

Nose: Notes of caramel, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and a whisper of mint. Palate: The wheat in the mash bill provides an exceptionally smooth, creamy, and rich mouthfeel that you can almost chew. It presents a harmonious blend of vanilla wafers, caramel, dark chocolate, oak, brown sugar, and cinnamon – a truly divine combination where no single flavor overwhelms another. Finish: The finish is long and potent, allowing the palate to linger for ages, as it has nowhere better to be. Notes of charred oak, caramel, maple syrup, heat, brown sugar, and toffee remain in the background, waiting to be rediscovered. Overall: At 125.7 proof, this spirit is top-tier and undoubtedly my favorite from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. It's a true masterpiece in a beautiful bottle, ready to be explored. Beware, its intense heat might make one utter 'Dracarys...' and potentially overpower the flavors; if that happens, add a teaspoon of water and let it shine.

This is unquestionably one of the most remarkable whiskies I've ever sampled. The aroma presents notes of golden delicious apples, crème caramel, vanilla ice cream, rich buttery tones, and a subtle woody spice, with undertones of grassiness. The high proof is barely perceptible. The initial taste features mildly toasted sugars, honey-roasted pecans, and a hint of apple, then blossoms into toffee, vanilla, crème brûlée, exquisite pastry characteristics, and a touch of fudge and apple. The mid-palate through the finish transitions from sweet dessert profiles to a mild, exceptionally pleasant woody spice, concluding with rich caramels, baked apples, and a warming Kentucky embrace. I've never regretted an empty glass so much. While the $70 USD pour was pricey, the spirit itself was truly extraordinary.

Wow! Initially, I found the initial pour too harsh for my preference. However, after several weeks open, this is astounding. Nose: Intense, rich, and sweet. Notes of caramel, maple, vanilla, and cherry. Despite its intensity, you can inhale deeply without detecting much alcohol. The best I can recall. Taste: It asserts its dominance. Sweet maple syrup that transitions into a luscious, tart cherry. A magnificent, ever-changing beauty! It fluctuates through intensely delightful flavors and sensations. Finish: Swallow that sip... there's the warmth, but in a magically superb manner. Spice and oak hold your palate as long as you can tolerate. It lingers long after you'd expect to take another drink. A level 10 linger. This one persists far beyond what seems possible. Exceptional.

I was surprised this spirit had such a high proof, as I could detect more scents than usual for a bourbon at this strength. The nose is best described as french toast for breakfast. Upon my initial sip, I was taken aback by the butter that jumped out. The taste is very similar to the aroma. It concludes with a more savory profile and a touch of sweetness – perhaps bacon coated in maple syrup. Intriguingly, the empty glass emitted an aroma of Earl Grey tea – black tea with citrus. Quite remarkable! Initially, when I tasted and smelled this whiskey, I felt unimpressed. However, as I continued drinking, it grew on me. It represents a fascinating microcosm of a brunch experience. It started at a rating of 3.75 to 4. By the end of the glass, my rating increased to 4.25-4.5. Worth trying and appreciating!

I've sampled every release in the Weller range except this one, until now... This was a sample provided during a bottle exchange. The aroma presents wheat toast, rich milk chocolate, dark cherries, cooked red apples, spicy oak, and aged leather. It's almost like a chocolate-covered cherry (which isn't my preferred treat, but this aroma is incredible!). The palate is sweet, dense, and oily with a drying sensation on the tongue. I detect dark cherries, a hint of apple, caramel sweetness, and some leather. The finish is extended, with a tingling on the tongue's tip and a slight warmth in the chest. Cherry-vanilla flavors remain on the palate. Wow, very good and well-balanced. This is my first WLW, and I'm pleased to report I'm a fan!