William Larue Weller 2017 Antique Collection (64.1%, OB)
- Category: Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
- Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Bottling: Buffalo Trace 2017 Antique Collection
- ABV: 64.1%
- Cost: ~ £130
What they say:
Uncut and unfiltered, this hand-bottled bourbon is barrel proof. Weller substitutes wheat for the traditional rye grain, a production method pioneered by W.L. Weller.
The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon is William Larue Weller. Previous editions of this wheater have won many accolades, including a Double Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and “Bourbon of the Year” by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017. The 2017 offering was distilled in the winter of 2005 and aged in Warehouses D, I, and P. This bourbon registers in at 128.2 proof. The bold flavors include toffee, marshmallow and leather.
TASTING NOTES:
Fragrant scents of caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee and pipe tobacco. The palate tastes of marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs and dates. This whiskey finishes smooth, composed and flavorfully sweet.
What I say:
Sampled during the Sazerac tasting with master blender Drew Mayville hosted by Royal Mile Whiskies on 6th October 2017. The 2017 release is at 128.2 proof or 64.1% ABV and was aged for around 12 and 1/2 years.
Appearance:
Autumnal gold (13/20), thick well spaced legs interspersed with almost stationary medium tears.
Nose:
Sweet caramel and toffee, balanced spices, toffee apple, slightly bready or yeasty – wholegrain/wheatgerm, cherry, chocolate and coconut
Taste:
Viscous, full-bodied and chewy on the palate, vanilla and caramel precede fruity strawberry and blackcurrant, peppery, dark fruit, cherry, toffee and coffee, cinnamon, camp coffee and milk chocolate all present in the woody spices
Finish:
Long, sweet fruity and woody with more gentle spices appearing
Overall:
More balanced than the last one we tried (2015 edition) much more integrated with rich caramel and vanilla, sour cherry and a sweet milk chocolate paired against oaky wood spice.
Score: 88/100
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Categories: W. L. Weller
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