Old Weller Antique Review

Old Weller Antique is another installment from the Buffalo Trace family. This bourbon replaces the rye typically found in mashbills with wheat, making it a little sweeter and more delicate than your typical corn and rye-based bourbons.  The Old Weller checks in at an impressive 107 proof. If curious, you can get more info on the bourbon itself here.

Old Weller Antique - Tasting Notes

Nose: Quick sniff gives some dried apricot, bitter citrus. Upon further inspection the higher proof shows itself with a little alcohol pinch in the nostrils. A little water cools down the alcohol burn while highlighting the sweet notes, as well as introducing some banana and vanilla. Nothing too overpowering or strong here... it took some digging to get these flavors.
Palate: Some brief sweetness, followed by a little bitter flavor and spice with the alcohol showing it's presence throughout. Basically, sugar then oak then spice, none of the 3 overpowering. A little water keeps the flavor present while cooling the alcohol.
Finish: Tiny spice and oak. The alcohol is present, but the entire finish comes and goes quite quickly.

Proof: 107 (53.5% ABV)
Price: ~$25

Old Weller Antique - 107 proof

For a $25 bourbon, it isn't bad. If you want a wheated bourbon for under $30 this is a solid choice, and I'd take it over Maker's in a heartbeat. However, I think the WL Weller 12-year is a big step up and well worth the extra $5 it will cost you (sadly, it is unavailable in my home state of Michigan). The Old Weller Antique isn't offensive by any means, but it doesn't jump out with any traits that would make it a mainstay in my collection. And at such a high proof, I was a little surprised the nose and palate didn't come through with more assertion. This guy might be worth trying on the rocks on a hot summer day as a nice, easy-sipping dram or in a cocktail that isn't supposed to be bourbon-forward.

Old Weller Antique Rating: 7.7/10

Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout Review - 19 year

I didn't know much about Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout when I picked up this bottle, but at about $75 for a 19-year bourbon it seemed worth a shot. Actually, considering what other bourbons around that age go for, it seemed like an outstanding price. On the other hand, if it tasted like mop water, any price would be too high. Luckily this proved to be a solid purchase. While my knowledge of Smooth Ambler is still pretty limited, there is some great information from the fine folks at K&L and the Coopered Tot.

Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout - Tasting Notes (19 year)

Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout - 19 Year

Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla, oak, with some light spice and subtle tobacco underneath. A very enjoyable nose.
Palate: A lot of flavors here. Initial sweetness, like sugar water, followed by big notes of spice. Slightly drying mouth-feel, with a presence of anise. After sitting for a bit this even tasted a bit like an old-fashioned with some citrus and angostura notes. For a 19-year bourbon, I was pleasantly surprised that the oak notes were very light. Nowhere near as overpowering as some older bourbons can be.
Finish: The oak shows up a bit here, but still not enough to overshadow the other flavors. The anise remains present with some black pepper, all spice and very light leather.

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Price: ~$75

This is a great sipper with some really bold flavors. So good in fact that I grabbed a second bottle. If you are lucky enough to live in a state/city where Smooth Ambler is sold I'd suggest picking up a bottle of the Very Old Scout, even if you can't find the 19-year expression. While I can't speak to the Old Scout Bourbon or the Rye I wouldn't be surprised if they were of similar quality. I'm really happy I gave this bottle a chance as finding a quality bourbon that is this old and actually on the shelf is a rarity.

Very Old Scout 19 year Bourbon: 9.1/10

Four Roses Single Barrel Review

Today we take a closer look at Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon. A lot has been written about the Four Roses distillery over the past year or so, and nearly all of it positive. It's tough for me to argue as they offer a consistent line of quality bourbons. Four Roses distills 10 different mash bills, which you can get details on at the Four Roses official site. The single barrel offering uses the OBSV mash bill, containing 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley. It also incorporates Four Roses "V" yeast, described as delicate and fruity.

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon - Tasting Notes

Nose: Cream soda, butterscotch, caramel, grapefruit citrus, some rye spice and cinnamon with very light floral notes.
Palate: Spice, honey, soft buttery caramel, candied fruits and a touch barrel char.
Finish: Sweet aftertaste is immediately present while the spice lingers on. There are subtle notes of mint, oak & barrel char that momentarily pop-up

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Price: ~$40

A very enjoyable sipper, even at 100 proof. Some water may soften it up a bit, but I wouldn't add too much or put it on ice as it may break up the great profile this whiskey brings to the party. A great product from Four Roses and something I'd recommend to anyone looking to try a single barrel bourbon. I can also attest this makes a great gift as I have received two bottles as presents and have been more than happy to accept. Whether you are new to bourbon or a grizzled veteran, this deserves a spot in your cabinet.

Four Roses Single Barrel Rating: 8.7/10

George T Stagg Review - 2012 edition

George T Stagg is a member of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and what many consider the most coveted of the 5 BTAC offerings. Simply put, this guy is a beast. Consistently among the best rated whiskeys every year, Stagg is a high-proof whiskey that you should get your hands on if you haven't already. That being said, the shelves are typically depleted within days (sometimes hours) of its annual fall delivery. So did the juice live up to the hype/demand?

George T. Stagg (2012) - Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet and spicy with a slight burn, which dissipates after a couple of minutes. There is a lot going on here, some smoke, dark chocolate, coconut, brown/demerara sugar, maple, white sugar and I'm sure a lot more I didn't catch. Some water heightens the sweetness, but the complexity remains.

Palate: Initial taste is sweet and mouth-watering. Viscous and syrupy followed by some heat as would be expected with a bourbon this strong. A slight coffee bitterness is present along with some oak and a slight drying of the mouth. A touch of water eases the heat and highlights the oak a bit, but the sweetness is still very present.

George T. Stagg 2012

Finish: A very long, lingering finish that begins with coffee and an ever-present spice. After a moment some subtle cocoa and dark chocolate sweetness re-emerges and covers the mouth. The heat isn't what you'd expect from a bourbon this strong. Water cools the heat some, but doesn't detract from the overall experience.

Proof: 142.8 (71.4% ABV)
Price: ~$80

This is an extremely complex bourbon. I'm sure I could have spent hours trying to figure it out, and as you can tell from the bottle I've already spent a good chuck of time with this horned devil. This is just an exceptional pour that has so much going on. While it won our blind, high-proof bourbon tasting, and finished second to the Weller on my score card, I'm actually going to rate this slightly higher. The Stagg just seems to offer a bit more complexity than the Weller and has a bit more range in terms of sugar and spice (and everything nice.)

2012 George T. Stagg Rating: 9.5/10

2012 William Larue Weller Review

Today we'll be reviewing the 2012 William Larue Weller wheated bourbon. This is an annual release from Buffalo Trace that comprises one-fifth of the highly sought after Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) and typically arrives each fall. Translation: There is only about a one-week window when this will be available each year.

William Larue Weller (2012) - Tasting Notes

2012 William Larue Weller

Nose: Great, complex nose. Some white pepper, oak, maple syrup, dried prunes, citrus, cherry licorice and pipe tobacco. A touch of water seems to bring out the sweetness, really highlighting the cherry and citrus nose. Just a lot going on here, all of it enjoyable.

Palate: Oak and spice at the start, but only briefly, likely on account of the high proof. This is followed by a cinnamon. Adding a touch of water, the flavor opens up with soft, sugary & floral notes. The oak and cinnamon are still present, but not as pervasive as they were before dilution.

Finish: The finish on this is pronounced at the beginning with spice then heat, and oak following shortly thereafter. After about 30 seconds, mouth-watering sweetness returns and sticks around for a while.

Proof: 123.4 (61.7% ABV)
Price: ~$80

The 2012 William Larue Weller does not disappoint. A little too aggressive at full proof for me, but when just a touch of water is added this bourbon really opens up and shows its complexity. This is a phenomenal bourbon that deserves a spot on your shelf if you are lucky enough to track it down.

2012 William Larue Weller Rating: 9.2/10

Parker's Heritage Collection 2012 Review - Blend of Mashbills

The 2012 Parker's Heritage Collection is a blend of mashbills featuring wheated and rye-based bourbons. The blend includes 11 year old rye-based bourbons (recipe used for Elijah Craig and Evan Williams), along with 11 year old barrels of Heaven Hill's wheated mashbill (used in Old Fitzgerald). You can read the full press release here.

I've tried a couple of past expressions of the Heritage Collection and enjoyed them both. The Golden Anniversary bottle was a nice blend of various barrels and just a tasty, complex bourbon from start to finish. The Cognac finish had a very soft, enjoyable flavor. That one took a couple tastings to truly appreciate as it is more delicate than some other bourbons I've tried. So how did the 2012 Heritage Collection fair?

Parker's Heritage Collection 2012 Blend of Mashbills - Tasting Notes

2012 Parker's Heritage Collection

Nose: The high proof shows itself. Strong notes of spice and wood. After time and a little water, some rich vanilla notes appear.

Palate: Initially sweet sugar on the first taste, likely due to the wheat portion of the bourbon. The sweetness is short-lived however as spice, oak and leather soon take over. A touch of water softens the sweetness and enhances the spice.

Finish: Heavy oak presence and a dry mouthfeel with lingering spice & oak.

Proof: 131.6 (65.8% ABV)

Price: ~$90

This was a bit of a disappointment to me. Maybe my expectations were too high due to the reputation of the line, or maybe it was due to the price. If this were priced around $40, I'd be alright with it, but at $90 I can't give this much of a recommendation. If you like heavy oak & leather this might be for you but it isn't really catered to my palate which prefers a little less leather and a little more sugar & spice.

Parker's Heritage Collection 2012 Rating: 8.0/10

Willett Family Estate Bourbon Review - 9 Year

Willett Family Estate
Bourbon - 9 year

Willett Family Estate Bourbon comes in a wide variety of ages, most easily found between 5 and 10 years, though bottles aged longer can be found (I've seen a couple 21 year bottles). I could give a story on the Willett history and where it is bottled, but you can find most of that info at the Willett Family Estate Bourbon official page or at this great post on Willett from Whisky Advocate Blog.

So, what did we think of the juice? While it didn't finish well in the high proof bourbon comparison, that doesn't make it a bad bourbon. In fact, in a later blind menage-a-tasting this finished just behind the Stagg and well ahead of the 2012 Parker's Heritage Collection.

Willett Family Estate Bourbon 9 year - Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet and fruity with prunes, citrus and light vanilla. Kind of bubble-gummy as well. A very pleasant smell with a hint of burnt sugar when a touch of water is added
Palate: Initial heat and spice with brown sugar and light oak notes underneath. Adding water gave a sweet, syrupy feel
Finish: Lingering sweet finish with smoke and a very light spice

Proof: 126.5 (63.25% ABV)
Price: ~$55

Willett 9-Year Bottle Info

Overall this is a really good bourbon, both sweet and flavorful. A little water makes this easy to sip as it cuts the high alcohol content and brings out some additional flavors. While I can't say if this is better, worse or nearly identical to some of the other offerings, this bottle makes me a believer in the Willett lineup. I'm sure this won't be the last Willett Family Estate Bourbon that I purchase.

Willett Family Estate Bourbon 9 year Rating: 8.5/10

High Proof Bourbon Tasting

Happy New Year! Hoping everyone had a safe and enjoyable night of festivities. My night included some cocktails, a delicious lobster & scallop dinner, and the highlight of the night - some high-proof bourbons. A fellow amateur whiskey enthusiast and I lined up 5 bourbons each. While we knew what 5 bottles were being sampled, the rest of the tasting was done blind. The contenders for this battle are:

High proof bourbons to ring in 2013!

• 2012 William Larue Weller (123.4 Proof)
• 9-year Willett Single Barrel (126.5 proof)
• Parker's Heritage Collection Blend of Mashbills (131.6 proof)
• 2012 George T. Stagg (142.8 proof)
• Abraham Bowman 18-year Bourbon (147.5 proof)

The Weller comes into this match-up as the "lightweight" of the group, though calling anything over 100 proof a lightweight is a disservice, let alone a whiskey over 120 proof. At the other end of the spectrum we have the Abraham Bowman 18-year Bourbon at 147.5 proof. I'd long thought that Stagg was the strongest bourbon on the market until stumbling across this bottle.

Here are my pre-game scouting reports on the bottles:

Weller - The 2010 expression was one of my favorites. Though the juice seemed overpowering and oaky for me on the first couple pours, the final two-thirds of the bottle were outstanding. Whether my palate changed, or time allowed some of the flavors to open up, I was sad to see the last drop poured. If this unopened 2012 expression starts as strong as the 2010 finished, it may have a chance to win this tasting.

9-year Willett - (hand-selected barrel by Binny's) I don't have high hopes for this one when lined-up against the other contestants. While I have enjoyed different Willett expressions in the past, it seems to be hit-or-miss as there are so many different years and each bottling is a single barrel. The bottle will be opened for the first time, so we are truly going into this one blind.

PHC Blend of Mashbills - Another untasted bottle. I've seem mixed reviews of this, some love it while others have found it underwhelming. Considering the Heritage Collection has some of the best annual releases, this one has earned its spot in the comparison based on reputation.

Stagg - The first of our two heavy-hitters, the Stagg is packed with flavor. From what I recall of this bottling it has a bit more coffee than I like, but that is off-set by the thick, rich flavors it brings to the dance. My memory of this bottle is a strong chocolate flavor with vanilla and caramel underneath.

Abraham Bowman - The highest-proof of the group is this limited bottling from Abraham Bowman. My expectations were low, but when I had this for the first time about a month ago I was proven very wrong. A little water didn't take any of the flavor away which was all burnt sugar and caramel. Though this doesn't get spoken of in the same breath as the Stagg and Weller, I think it deserves that type of recognition. This was my pre-tasting pick to come in first.

So how did they fair? The two of us had some pretty different opinions on how they measured up. Giving 5 points for our favorite and 1 point for our least favorite here is how they crossed the finish line.

The Results
Stagg - 9
Weller - 8
Bowman - 5
Willett - 4
Parker's - 4

We both agreed there wasn't a bad pour in the bunch. I was very surprised that the Bowman came in last place for me and not all that surprised that the Weller was my favorite. The prestige of the Antique Collection looks to be pretty well-deserved as the Stagg & Weller were the runaway favorites in the bunch. Here is how we ranked each of the bottles.

Me: Weller, Stagg, Willett, Parker's, Bowman
Him: Stagg, Bowman, Weller, Parker's Willett

-Full reviews of each bottle to come over the next month
Willett 9 Year Bourbon Review
2012 Parker's Heritage Collection Review - Blend of Mashbills
2012 William Larue Weller Review