W. L. Weller 12 Year

   Bourbon review #1: W. L. Weller 12 Year

Category: "Boutique"

Price: $35

Availability: Annual release

Proof: 90, 45%avb

Mashbill: Wheated

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

     
     If ever I have put a bourbon on a pedestal, before even giving it a sip, it would be this one. This is due to the following factors;

     1. The History (sourced from Buffalo Trace): A true distilling pioneer, W.L. Weller is credited with being the first distiller to produce Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey using wheat instead of rye in the mash bill. Weller’s original “wheated bourbons” became extremely popular, with a softer, smoother taste. They were so popular, in fact, it’s been said that Weller was forced to put a green thumbprint on his invoices and barrels to ensure that customers were receiving the real deal.

     After serving in the War with Mexico as a member of the Louisville Brigade in the 1840s, Weller returned to Louisville to take part in a family tradition of whiskey distilling. After the introduction of his original wheated bourbon in 1849, Weller, along with his brother, founded a very successful bourbon trading company. Weller marketed his product with the slogan, “Honest Whiskey at an Honest Price.”

     Weller’s namesake company eventually went on to merge with Pappy Van Winkle’s A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery to form the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, becoming renowned for such brands as W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell and Cabin Still. During the 1960's, bourbon sales plummeted. Many of the once reputable, historic labels were farmed out, and eventually became cheap bottom shelf bourbons. For example, Old Crow, Rebel Yell, Cabin Still, among others. W. L. Weller is an exception. It is now being produced out of Buffalo Trace, with efforts to preserve its original quality.

     2. W. L. Weller 12 year is an old, wheated bourbon. This is a nich category within bourbons. Very few types of bourbon are being produced with a wheated mashbill at an age of post 10 years.

     3. Julian Van Winkle III, the face and pallet of the current line up of Van Winkle products, reported in an interview that he chooses Weller bourbon when he's not enjoying his own. This speaks volumes to me!

      If you’re a fan of the Van Winkle bourbons, it’s only natural to be curious about a bourbon like the W. L. Weller 12 year. After all, they both have nearly the same history, mashbill, age, contemporary distillery and quality control. So, what makes them different? It really comes down to warehouse location on the Buffalo Trace property. Now you can see why I was so excited to try this bourbon, and by extension placed it on a very high pedestal.
 

     Overall: even though I was a little disappointed that the Weller 12 didn’t deliver on the level of a “poor mans Pappy”, its still a very nice old, wheated bourbon. I would certainly recommend this bourbon, although it's getting harder and harder to find. Colonel's score 6-7 out of 10.