William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2019)

BTAC Showdown: George T. Stagg (2019 release) vs William Larue Weller (2019 release) George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller, part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), need no introduction here. While these are scarce “collectible” bottles, I purchased them both to drink and share with fellow afficionados (not just plain friends!). Both were purchased on a trip out of state on a bourbon-hunting foray: the Stagg was by itself at one store, but the WLW was part of a set at another store that the owner would not separate. That set included WLW, Weller Full Proof, Weller CYPB, Weller 12, Weller 107, and Weller Special Reserve. I really wasn’t interested in the W107 or WSR, as I already had some of both; but I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I paid plenty for the lot, after considerable back and forth (the shop was on the way to Augusta, Georgia, and the owner insisted that the group looked good in his store for people going to The Masters—I tried not to laugh—did he want to sell or not?), but in hindsight the entire lot was well below secondary for just one WLW today. While both of these bourbons are part of BTAC, they have different mashbills. Buffalo Trace provides very detailed information in their Release Letter for each bourbon. George T. Stagg • Mashbill: Kentucky corn (Distillers Grade #1 and #2), Minnesota Rye, and North Dakota malted barley • Barrel: new, white oak, #4 char • Proof: 116.9 • Distillation: Spring 2014 • Release: Fall 2019 • Age: 15 years, 3 months Clear, dark mahogany color, as one would expect from a 15-year-old bourbon. Nose offers pipe tobacco, cedar, oatmeal raisin cookie, bergamot, some underlying vanilla, and noticeable cool mint. (Tasted again after the WLW, both caramel and rye are more noticeable on the nose). Palate shows some pleasant heat, barrel char, and leather notes, leading to pepper, oak, and vanilla on the long finish. Overall, the Stagg comes across as slightly more woody than the WLW, consistent with the increased age—but not in a negative way. Very, very good. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. William Larue Weller • Mashbill: Kentucky corn (Distillers Grade #1 and #2), North Dakota wheat, North Dakota malted barley • Barrel: new, white oak, #4 char • Proof: 128.0 • Distillation: Winter 2007 • Release: Fall 2019 • Age: 12 years, 6 months Clear, dark mahogany color, virtually indistinguishable from the Stagg, despite being roughly three years younger. Complex nose shows carrot cake, luxardo cherries, honey, pomander, and even barbecue sauce. Pleasant, almost pillowy, penetrating, mouthcoating palate where the high proof makes its presence known. Long finish, culminating in a smooth, well-integrated, oaky vanilla. Incredibly smooth considering the 128 proof. An iconic, benchmark bourbon against which any other can be measured. 5.0 on the Distiller scale. George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller are two incredibly well-made, top-of-the-line bourbons. There is no marketing fluff here. There’s no “hipness.” This is old-school, top-quality bourbon that is a pleasure to savor. The GTS is a bit more leathery and woody, almost rough-hewn, whereas the WLW is more smooth, more refined. Think Clint Eastwood in his prime (Stagg) vs Roger Moore in his (WLW). Both alpha, apex performers at the top of their (slightly different) games. N.B. All spirits always tasted neat from a Glencairn glass

So this is it - my unicorn bourbon. I once called the Buffalo Trace gift shop. There was no answer but I left a message along the lines of what sorts of bourbons I might find there. It was years ago and an incredibly naive question. The best part - that afternoon I got a call! The gentleman in the other end was kind and soft spoken. We talked for probably 20 minutes about Blanton’s, Eagle rare and Weller special reserve showing up at the gift shop and how they differed. He describes the mash bills and the flavor nuances. I mentioned Pappy - he laughed. What he said next though changed how I saw bourbon. His favorite, if he could pick one single bottle, would be this. William Larue Weller is the king of the growing Weller franchise. It’s older and more concentrated and sadly quite rare. Understatement, until tonight I wasn’t convinced it existed. Compared to Weller Antique it has more fruit and more wood. Compared to Weller full proof it has much older, dustier earthy and oak notes. It’s like comparing a grape to a raisin. The nose is perhaps one of the greatest I’ve encountered. Vanilla frosting, dusty cherries, old oak, brown sugar, bananas foster, tobacco, heat, chestnut, coconut. There might be more but that comes close. Wow. Smooth vanilla frosting, then building heat (unlike the wooden club that is GTS), clove, allspice, furniture polish, fig, dried cherries, ginger, oak, chestnut. Long finish with a bit of allspice, clove, polish, tobacco. More tobacco and vanilla frosting, brown sugar and dried cherries… the finish goes on. I can see where this comes from OWA or Weller full proof (a wimpy 114 proof I might add). Weller special reserve and 12 are nothing like it - or at least are watered down and a far stretch in complexity. Is it my true unicorn? It might be my favorite BT product for the strong tobacco and earthy notes along with rich sweetness and balanced oak. I can’t say that I haven’t had better though. I can say that tonight, with friends in early fall when barrels are being roles out and whiskey is ready for its annual mass exodus from Kentucky that this is special. Maybe if I’m lucky one will follow me home some day. Until then there are plenty of outstanding bourbons, whiskeys and whiskys to enjoy. Cheers everyone and for those following along and sharing thanks for adding to the richness of this shared journey!

This was a blind pour in a glen avon glass from my wife without any knowledge as to what it might be. On the nose I was pleasantly surprised with a chocolatey creme brulee, with notes of caramel, sugary wheat, and hints of barrel char on a toasted oak barrel. As soon as the whiskey hit the tongue a quick note of spicy cinnamon gave way to a softer, sweeter side of raspberries and thick cream. Oh do I love this taste in a whiskey and it's hard to find. As the palate rounded out, notes of buttery vanilla, caramel, and tobacco shine. After swallowing, the finish is very viscous and pleasant with oak, sweetened crisped wheat and a touch more cinnamon. Whatever this was, I was sold. I wanted more and I thought, this is one of the better bourbons I've ever tasted. Glad to be told it was something as special as the 2019 WLW.

Revisiting... Having a 4 oz Boston Round that was well stored filled to the top when bottle was a fresh crack Originally rated 4/0, but must say its at least a 4.25/5. Normally 4.0 or higher for me means I would buy a bottle, maybe a backup 4.25 definite buy with back up probable multiple backups possible 4.5 and 4.75 more of the same with an even greater appreciation 5.0 not certain if i have rated anything at 5/5 but if so everything was incredibly delicious...literally flawless With WLW price hitting 2K on secondary earlier this year, prices did decrease however too hard to find at or close to retail and so many other bottles as good and can be found at or around retail... WLW is a treat, sipping on this Christmas day 2022 and appreciating it, but not ISO CHEERS

Bright Copper/Amber in Color Aroma of bright berries, raspberry or strawberry. Really wonderful aroma. Berries in the flavor again. I keep switching between the raspberry and strawberry and as I work through the glass the strawberry with some cinnamon comes forward. Oak is present but nicely in the back row to provide depth. Alcohol makes itself known, but warming and cozy vs "hot". Some brown sugar melted in butter notes. Twice I got marzipan.. Last sip was really of a wonderful strawberry preserve. Long Kentucky hug on the finish here. Really nice finish. Just shy of Birthday Bourbon for me, but really nice. (like better than any Pappy I've had)

Classic William Larue Weller nose, such a balance of sweetness, vanilla and other uncut, unfiltered goodness ...no hint that it is 128 Proof Palate Long legs Oak More sweetness Softness of the wheated recipe, however so much mouth feel, WLW just cannot be compared to BT's other wheated recipe offerings as the complexity and flavors are so much more pronounced. Finish Long with some spice Caramel Black pepper Definitely a treat