Well the comment heard round the whiskey blog world was when I said I didn’t like Makers Mark, and that I thought it tasted like 89 octane ethyl. Where do you go from there? It’s not like I can take it back, my very first post where I reviewed a whiskey was for Makers Mark, and I said it tasted like gasoline! I didn’t like it, and I probably never will. So I began to wonder whether I didn’t like Makers Mark because it was a wheat bourbon whiskey. People said I was intolerant and that I needed to be open minded about things. Most stopped short of saying that Makers tasted like gasoline, but many said there were far better expressions of wheat bourbon to try. So I decided that I would open my mind, and my pocketbook to take a journey. So…Fill ‘Er Up, and fasten your seat belt as we take a trip Into the Wheat…
Our first stop on this journey will be Old Weller Antique. This is a 107 proof wheat bourbon whiskey that has been aged for 7 years in charred oak barrels. The particular bottle I had was dated in 2007 so it was actually put in oak in 2000. As I put it up to my nose I knew this was something special.
This was a very pleasant aroma with hints of honey and citrus, a little oak and alcohol. Very understated and almost delicate. As it opened up I detected some clove and the citrus was more pronounced. I took a sip, and the honey and clove flavors were very good then came some char and oak to balance it. At 107 proof or 53.5% ABV you would expect a harsh burn, but it was almost understated and very well balanced and gave me a warm satisfied feeling all over.
Neat
I loved this bourbon neat, I drank almost the entire glass that way because it was so warm and cozy. It has a nice feel on the palate, not watery or oily, almost silky. The finish was smooth and lasted about a minute.
On the Rocks
I was actually hesitant to put ice in this because I was enjoying it so much neat, but I did, and was rewarded with an intensified flavor of citrus and honey. Cooling this whiskey brings out new flavor notes and more character of the distillate. Some char was evident on the finish, and a little more pronounced with ice.
With a Splash
Not only does this whiskey handle water, but there is a secret surprise for you…water makes this bourbon sweeter! I was blown away at the taste of caramel. It tasted and smelled like an ice cream sundae. It was amazing.
So…I think it is safe to say I like…no love, wheat bourbon. Old Weller Antique is a must have and will be a staple in my whiskey cabinet for years to come.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Mike here. I like this 107 a lot…it’s better than the “normal” one. I can’t say enough about Buffalo Trace as a bourbon maker. Their 15 Pappy is top tier, in my opinion.
Hi Mike good to see you (and Nate) again! Yeah, I can’t get the William Laurue Weller stuff here in Idaho. First of all Idaho is a control state and they only allow certain things to be sold, and secondly they seem to be in the hip pocket of Beam. They carry everything Beam makes from the low shelf white label to the upper shelf Bookers and everything in between. I’ve wrote about this a lot and it makes me mad that someone else is controlling what I can have access to. They just took old fitzgerald off the shelves. Its gone never to be seen again in Idaho, until someone says it can come back. That is the kind of actions that frustrate me its like buying your juice at the DMV.
Don
By the way, when you said something in a previous post about the antique I thought you meant the William Laurue in the antique collection. So, it was the one that I was speaking about disparagingly.
In my meager opinion, Weller 107 is about the best daily pour around!
It had been selling in Oregon for $19.95, but now, in less than a year’s time, it is selling for $25.95!!! It has risen$6 in price, more than any other bourbon on the Oregon shelves!!!
Weller 107 is still selling for less than $20 back East!
I’m not happy!
Scoots:
I too love the Weller Antique. I have been surprised at all the traffic on the bourbon blogs about the age statement being dropped by Buffalo Trace. I think it might be part of an overall realignment of their brands. For example OWA has been increased in price in Idaho as well. It jumped $2.00 per bottle about a week ago and went from $19.95 to $21.95. More increases wouldn’t surprise me either. See their Buffalo Trace brand sells for $23 so I figure they are trying to make some of their wheat juice more exclusive and bring its price point to a higher one than their flagship to align more with the other mega distilleries where the flagship juice is the least expensive, and all their other “specialty brands” are more expensive. This may be what is behind their price escalations. Just a theory, but one that seems to fit for now.
Good to have you in the community. I saw your post over on Bourbon Enthusiast too. Good to have another active member.
Don
Don,
Thanks for your explanation – VERY PROBABLE, and I really enjoy this site! Very informative! :^)
Scoots:
Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you enjoy the site. Went back and looked at your profile on BE and noticed you have been a member for over a year. My bad calling you a newbie. Just haven’t seen you there since I joined about 6 weeks ago. Enjoy our site, it is truly a labor of love, and if you ever have any suggestions feel free to chime in.
Don