Whiskey Review #23: 2014 William Larue Weller: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Category: Boutique
Price: $90
Availability: Anual Fall Release
Proof: 140.2- 70.1% ABV
Age: 12 Years and 3 months
Mashbill: Wheated Bourbon
Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
In 2012, when my son Kazmir was born, I celebrated by opening a bottle of Van Winkle's "Pappy" 20 Year Old, Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Latter I would go on to review that product, giving it a score of 10 out of 10. In the history of the show, I have only given that score to one other bourbon, that being the 2013, Four Roses, Limited Edition, Small Batch.
We at Sparkman Manor are celebrating another addition to the Colonel's Clan. My son Ambrose was born on March 27th, 2015. I wanted to open something extra special to celebrate our new arrival. After scanning the pantry and creating a short list, I eventually narrowed it down to the 2014, William Larue Weller, KY Straight Bourbon. This bourbon is truly in the top tier of bourbons, period!
Each year in the fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases their "Antique Collection". This collection contains five whiskeys: 1. George T. Stagg, 2. William Larue Weller, 3. Sazarac Rye Whiskey, 4. Thomas Handy Rye Whiskey, 5. Eagle Rare 17 Year Old. This collection is considered to be among the creme dela creme of limited release whiskies. If you would like to read more on the history of William Larue Weller, or the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, you can read my reviews on George T. Stagg, and W.L. Weller 12 year. To eliminate redundancy, I will not restate that information in this review.
Just for clarification, the William Larue Weller Antique is not to be confused with the other Weller products, produced by Buffalo Trace (ex. Weller 107 Antique and W.L. Weller 12 year).
The only other Antique Collection that I have reviewed was the 2013 George T. Stagg. I gave it a 9 out of 10! I have long anticipated this review, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how the William Larue Weller stacks up against other premium whiskeys. But first, lets have a look at its specifications.
The 2014 W.L.W. went into Distillation in the Spring of 2002. It was bottled in the Fall of 2014at 140.2 proof, making it the highest proof release in W.L.W's history! Its recipe contains Kentucky Corn, North Dakota wheat, and North Dakota malted barley. The water used in this product is Kentucky limestone water, treated with reverse osmosis. It was aged on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th floors of warehouses D,K and L on the Buffalo Trace property. The angels took 62.3% (lost to evaporation) of the original bourbon . Only 39 barrels were hand picked for the 2014 release.
In a nutshell, this is a 12-year-old wheated bourbon at a "knock your socks off" 140.2 barrel proof- uncut/unfiltered!! The big question here is will the heat overshadow the delicate flavor notes of the wheated mashbill? There's only one way to find out...lets tear into this thing!!
William L. Weller 2014 Antique Collection from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.
Overall: This is truly a special bourbon! I would put it right up there with some of the greatest bourbons that I've tasted! Search the world of whiskeys....You would be hard pressed to find a more intense, flavorful bourbon!
First of all, I assure you that the proof is not a novelty/gimmick. Despite being very hot, it is extremely well integrated with the larger body of flavors. The 2014 Weller is perhaps the most cinnamon/clove-spice forward bourbon that I've tasted. Other notes include, smokey leather, cinnamon rolls, dark chocolate and sticky sweet sorghum. The mouth-feel is much like the 2013 George T. Stagg, in that it is lush and oily. A little water helps to suppress the beastly proof, while bringing out those softer, sweeter wheated notes of caramel, vanilla and maple. In summary, this is a big, bold, spicy wheated bourbon that is sure to leave you with a smile on your face! Colonel's score: 9 out of 10!
