punk_lawyer
Habeas Punkus
- Joined
- May 6, 2008
- Messages
- 2,060
I have not seen the Old Weller Single Barrel reviewed on here so I thought I would give it a mention:
The WL Weller & Sons Distillery, now a part of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is in Frankfort, Kentucky. For those of you who are out of the region, the distilleries are about the only reason to ever go to Frankfort. But I digress: WL Weller's bourbons allegedly date back to 1849. They do, in fact, use old line recipes in distilling the bourbon that goes into the Old Weller line and there are some fine bourbons being produced at the Buffalo Trace facilities (Blantons and Eagle Rare come to mind).
Around here there are single barrel varieties of the Old Weller Bourbon available for just a touch over $20. Since I have no pics to show you, the bottle is pretty standard but carries an antiqued label that reveals a good bit of information. Two of the most pertinent facts on the label are that the bourbon is "Seven Summers Old" and that it is 107 proof. Other comments about limestone spring water and native grains are also recited.
On with the good part: this is an exceptionally smooth bourbon for 107 proof. Given the price range, this is not a bourbon that is going to knock you over with amazingly complex flavors but it is striking in its mellowness. When consumed neat there is more flavor than you would expect on this proof level. The tastes that come through are primarily of vanilla with some cherry. When cut with a distilled water ice cube, the flavors are more clear and the sweetness is able to come through to the front. The finish is subtle and sweet but holds on for a while. I never go too far with taste comparisons because ultimately, to me, this tastes like bourbon should...
This is an amazing value in the single barrel realm. In fact, I can think of several single barrel bourbons that fail to achieve the mellow sweetness that this bourbon shows. If you have the ability to track this one down then rest assured that you will have spent your money quite well.
The WL Weller & Sons Distillery, now a part of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is in Frankfort, Kentucky. For those of you who are out of the region, the distilleries are about the only reason to ever go to Frankfort. But I digress: WL Weller's bourbons allegedly date back to 1849. They do, in fact, use old line recipes in distilling the bourbon that goes into the Old Weller line and there are some fine bourbons being produced at the Buffalo Trace facilities (Blantons and Eagle Rare come to mind).
Around here there are single barrel varieties of the Old Weller Bourbon available for just a touch over $20. Since I have no pics to show you, the bottle is pretty standard but carries an antiqued label that reveals a good bit of information. Two of the most pertinent facts on the label are that the bourbon is "Seven Summers Old" and that it is 107 proof. Other comments about limestone spring water and native grains are also recited.
On with the good part: this is an exceptionally smooth bourbon for 107 proof. Given the price range, this is not a bourbon that is going to knock you over with amazingly complex flavors but it is striking in its mellowness. When consumed neat there is more flavor than you would expect on this proof level. The tastes that come through are primarily of vanilla with some cherry. When cut with a distilled water ice cube, the flavors are more clear and the sweetness is able to come through to the front. The finish is subtle and sweet but holds on for a while. I never go too far with taste comparisons because ultimately, to me, this tastes like bourbon should...
This is an amazing value in the single barrel realm. In fact, I can think of several single barrel bourbons that fail to achieve the mellow sweetness that this bourbon shows. If you have the ability to track this one down then rest assured that you will have spent your money quite well.
