Some things are bad, some are just OK, others are good, and then a few are truly special. Take art for example, if you asked me to draw you a picture that would be bad! Not an artist, and never have been. If you asked my brother Jim to draw you a picture, that would be ok. He is talented, and has good artistic chops, but they are raw skills that have never really been developed (sorry Jim). Then there would be a lithograph of a painting that you really love, not as good as the original, but still good capturing all the inspiration of the original through a sophisticated printing process. Better if numbered and signed! Finally there is the real thing, a total expression of an artist’s true talent and inspiration. That would be truly special, and why some paintings garner hundreds of thousands of dollars for their creators, or even millions for the masters. Now what if you had an original painting, and then had to settle for something less like a numbered and signed lithograph, well that is what happened with my second review of wheat bourbon…
You see, I first reviewed Old Weller Antique 107, a very special wheat bourbon made by the folks at Buffalo Trace Distillery. So when I decided to do the review of W L Weller Special Reserve, I was thinking several things, first this is the “Special Reserve” two words when used in combination give one the thought that this is going to be fantastic! Second, I read a couple of other reviews in Wine Spectator, where Old Weller Antique was rated at 88, and the W L Weller was rated at 90. So considering all this I was expecting W L Weller Special Reserve to be better than the outstanding Old Weller Antique… Not so much!
When I was drinking it, I began to think that it really isn’t fair to try to compare back and forth, because while they are both aged 7 years, that is where the similarities stop. So here goes, my attempt at an unbiased review of W L Weller Special Reserve.
The nose on this whiskey is pleasant and refined. It has butterscotch and tones of leather and spice. The taste hits the palate sweet with butterscotch and honey initially and then quickly turns and has a peppery finish.
Neat
This bourbon drinks well neat. It has enough spice and pepper to be interesting, but the wheat smooths it out into a balanced and medium finish lasting about a minute.
On the Rocks
Cooling this bourbon brings out a little more sweetness and some citrus in the flavor, but the peppery finish is lost and the burn on the finish is greatly diminished.
With a Splash
Again given the complexity of this bourbon water brings out its sweeter flavors, the nose is greatly reduced and the burn and peppery flavors are extinguished with just a little barrel char left on the backside.
All in all, the W L Weller Special Reserve is a very good wheat bourbon. And I will buy it again. For the purchase price of $18.95 for a fifth it is a very good value. In its own right W L Weller stands up to the critics, but it is hard to go into The Louvre and see a lithograph of the Mona Lisa.
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Hey, what do you mean I’m not a great artist? Remember that time when I painted my crib as a baby? I mean, sure, it wasn’t the best, but when you work with crap you get crap! In this case I mean it literally, which is actually kinda gross. Sorry.
Jim:
I think you should consider your nouveau choice, just experimenting with green media, not actually painting your crib with poop from your diaper! You were edgy even as a toddler!
It’s easy being edgy when you don’t have to clean up your messes!
I know I’ve said it before, but Buffalo Trace is simply a great bourbon maker. I believe they are the most awarded distillery in the world. Either way, looking at the Van Gogh painting makes me want to soak in thew art and the bourbon.
Is that you Mike? Or is it really Nate? No matter, the only problem is you can’t drink at work! Good on you that you knew it was a Van Gogh, and even better you know how to spell Van Gogh! I think that Master Distillers of Bourbon are definitely some of the unsung artisans of our time!
It was Mike. I’m too lazy. Impressionists are my favorite artists. Of course, Van Gogh is the quintessence of the style. And since he didn’t have the patience for pointillism I have to stick with his impressionism stuff. I’ve always had a keen interest in him especially. He is the Buffalo Trace of artist, so to speak.
I would agree Van Gogh is a pretty good artist! LOL Pretty good…right! I actually like Monet best. The Chicago Art Institute has about 5 of his haystack paintings in the same room, (they have about 12 in all, but 5 of the big ones)and I could sit there and stare at them for hours! The hall of the impressionists always get my attention when I’m there. Sheaves of Wheat is an amazing painting. I see something new in it every time I look at it.
Buffalo Trace is doing some stuff that I am suspicious about right now, however. The removal of the age statement from the Old Weller Antique is disturbing. It seems like they are doing some rebranding too, with the cost of their wheat juice hitting astronomical price points. I just paid $45 for a bottle of the Pappy Van Winkles 12 yr Lot B. Their other Pappy juice is outrageous too. They are raising their prices on the old weller and WL weller too. Their BTAC has their cheapest bottle at $65, and even their flag ship juice is $23 for a fifth. I have spoken to people that say their OWA is now around $30 in some parts of the country. I agree with you I like their stuff too, but pretty soon you will have to dig deep to afford it!
Don
That Pappy Van Winkles 12 year lot B has been about that price for as long as I can remember. However, I do agree that some of the stuff you are mentioning is suspicious. Let’s hope they don’t get too crazy. Still, if you can pick up their uncut Stag for $60-70 a bottle, do it. So wonderful.
Hey Mike:
I’m hoping I am wrong, but indications seem to be suspicious. I am exploring the lower shelf right now. Just picked up a ten High and an Old Crow. Both 80 proofers. I am also going to try some vatting to see if there is a good combination out there that would make some good juice. I’d like to get a cheap high proofer like an OGD 114 and vat that with a lower proof that has some good structure like and Evan Williams Black Label. I’m intrigued by the concept and I’m sure you will read all about it.
-Don