The “Available” Wheated Bourbon
Old Weller Antique and Special Reserve Profiled
If you’ve ever read the label on any of the Weller bottles you’ll notice they all include the tagline “The Original Wheated Bourbon”. While a different wheated bourbon has claimed most of the lime light recently the Weller brand is truly the original wheated bourbon. You may have also noticed that Weller bourbon line, specifically W.L. Weller 12 year, has become increasingly harder to find recently. This is probably due to a mixture of factors including the popularity of Pappy Van Winkle (a wheated bourbon), popularity of bourbon in general and the fact that it’s excellent bourbon for under $30.
Brief history of the W.L. Weller:
The brand was originally owned by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company, which was sold several times after 1972. The brand is currently owned by the Sazerac Company and produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Currently, there are four releases under the W.L. Weller brand:
- 90 proof
- Originally a 7 year old, it is now non-age stated. Most likely somewhere between 5-7 years
- TASTING NOTES (Per Buffalo Trace): A sweet nose with a presence of caramel. Tasting notes of honey, butterscotch, and a soft woodiness. It’s smooth, delicate and calm. Features a smooth finish with a sweet honeysuckle flair.
- 107 Proof
- Originally a 7 year old, it is now non-age stated. Most likely somewhere between 5-7 years
- TASTING NOTES (per Buffalo Trace): Sweet and unusual floral notes and coupled with vanilla. The taste is very well balanced with sweet fruit notes, strong vanilla undertone and sharp spicy tones, with a cinnamon finish.
W.L. Weller 12 Year – 90 proof.
William LaRue Weller
While Weller is the “Original” wheated bourbon two of its members are also two of the best “Available” wheated bourbons. You can spend time trying to track down a bottle of W.L. Weller 12 year (pretty good chances of finding a bottle here and there) or William Larue Weller (good luck. There’s probably fewer bottles than Pappy 15) but I’d rather just sit and enjoy a glass of Weller Antique or Weller Special Reserve. Even though Antique and Special Reserve no longer carry the 7 year age statement they’re great bourbons.
After you get a bottle go ahead and add a review to Bourbonr (Antique and Special Reserve)!
12 comments
Hands down best value to me is the Weller SE. Can get it locally for $15-16 and is a great intro bourbon to the novice that has never had anything neat.
The fact that you didn’t list Maker’s Mark from Beam, Old Fitzgerald 12 yr and Larceny from Heaven Hill, plus the links to buy the available that are listed, makes this look like an advertisement or at least a way to drive revenue for this site. Sorry, it does.
You’ll notice that it doesn’t say every available wheated bourbon. It’s a play on the Weller tagline “The Original Wheated Bourbon”. Makers Marks is mediocre, OF 12 has been discontinued and Larceny is not readily availble. So, yes Weller Antique and Special reserve are the “Available” wheated bourbon”
Also, if it were an advertisement wouldn’t it make more sense to add a bunch of bourbons for sale?
I haven’t seen a bottle of Old Weller Antique 107 on the shelves in local (Saratoga County NY) shops since late 2013 and most retailers here say the prospect of getting any is extremely remote. Just exactly where is it “available?”
After having bottles of PVW 20 & PVW 23, I “SETTLED” for a bottle of PVW 15 last year. It’s gone now, and I have been unable to satisfy myself with any other bourbon. THERE IS NOTHING quite like PVW 15. I will try Weller, without much hope.
The WL Weller 12yr is DAMN GOOD.
when is weller antique released each year?…i cant seem to find the general release date
Weller Antique 107, single barrel bottled for Cool Springs Wine & Spirits are in store now with a restriction of 2 bottles per person. I bought 2 yesterday at $32.95 each and will be back today for 2 more. Cool Springs bought a barrel of the WA107, and also have bought a single barrel of Blanton’s that was bottled for them, pricing is ~$59.
Cool Springs Wine & Spirits is located in Franklin, Tennessee at
615-771-7436
1935 Mallory Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
I don’t work for or with them, but I do enjoy their knowledge of bourbon and their great selection, spirits manager is Dave Nicholls and he is a great dude to deal with.
Do you know if they ship? I’d love a bottle or 2 of their OWA