Review #9: Weller Special Reserve – The Original Wheated Bourbon

Welcome to our Shelter in Bourbon series. You may not be able to go outside, but at least you don’t have to be socially distant from your bottles. Today’s selection is perfect for an evening rooftop sip watching the sun set over the horizon.

Weller Special Reserve – The Original Wheated Bourbon

Intro:

Out next venture takes us deeper into the collection produced by that fine distillery on the river with the French connection, Buffalo Trace. We will cut to the chase. If you see Weller on the shelves, and have the means, just buy it. You won’t regret it and chances are it won’t be there long and you might not get a second chance to purchase for a while.

Weller is part of a high-end line of bourbons carrying the same name that is produced by Buffalo Trace. The line almost follows a labeling hierarchy similar to Johnnie Walker, with a “Green”, “Red”, “Blue”, “Black”, and “White” label. Each moving up in proof, scarcity, and of course price.

The Backstory:

Weller originally dates back to the 1800s when William Larue Weller purportedly was the first to produce a straight bourbon using wheat instead of rye in the mashbill. In 1935 the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company was founded. It is a combination of the W.L. Weller & Sons distributor and the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. Fun fact, during Prohibition, they sold spirits under a medical license because they couldn’t sell alcohol, rather it needed to be a medical remedy. We suppose now it’s just a necessity to get us through this life of newfound solitude…

Once Prohibition was repealed the distillery was built by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr., Alex T. Farnsley, and Arthur Phillip Stitzel. If nothing else, “Pappy” should pique your interest. It is hard to be even the slightest of bourbon enthusiasts and not understand the relevance, scarcity, or sanctity of Pappy Van Winkel. That’s the bloodline for this bourbon. It’s a blueblood. The kind where the family has a 200-year-old estate. Old money name.

Like most bourbon brands in the last century, it has changed hands several times including Distillers Corporation Limited, Guiness PLC, Diageo, and then eventually its current owner / producer, Sazerac.

Our delightful bottle boasts 90 proof (45% ABV). It is a premium line bourbon that boasts front and center as, “The Original Wheated Bourbon”. That of course is a direct reference to its use of wheat instead of rye. Now to the good stuff…

Tasting Notes:

According to Weller: 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.

According to Him: Quote possibly one of the smoothest bourbons I’ve had in my illustrious drinking career. I sense the caramel on the nose. I get a little spice on the front of my tongue, and a gentle hug with a little heat that lingers. It almost tastes thicker than other bourbons I’ve had. It feels more substantial. Not so much that it’s off-putting, but enough to let you know its there. This is good enough to be desert on its own.

Bottle of Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

According to Her: It’s sweet on the nose. I am getting hints of caramel and vanilla. At first sip it is incredibly smooth with just a touch of spice on the tongue. I am tasting that sweet caramel taste that comes from the char of the barrel but not much else- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing! This is an incredibly smooth bourbon, perfect for sipping in quarantine.

The Rating:

Top-notch through and through. It's an elegant bottle with a deep amber color and the taste to match. It is hard to find for a reason. It is just simply that good of a bourbon. We hope we can eventually get our hands on its rarer siblings barring the same name.

4.3 out of 5 Glasses. Top shelf for sure. We aren’t sharing it with anyone, so don’t ask. She would have liked to experience a few more of the flavors, so we may be back later to provide an update.