Weller Single Barrel Bourbon Review
As the press release says, Weller fans have been jonesing (Jonestowning?) for a single barrel version. What the press release didn’t say is how many of these fans are already lining up to sell their extra kidney to be sure to secure a bottle on the secondary market.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- MASH BILL: Buffalo Trace Wheated Mashbill (undisclosed)
- AGE: Who cares? It's Weller!
- PROOF: 97 Proof (48.5% ABV)
- MSRP: $49.99
- PRICE YOU WILL ACTUALLY PAY: First born child (or the kid you actually like the most)
- BUY ONLINE: Specialty Secondary Bourbon Emporium
ERIN'S NOTES
NOSE: A freshly popped can of Lysol the first week of quarantine that you managed to snag for retail | Guyanese Grape Flavor Aid | Nutmeg, apparently
TASTE: TNT-laced Swiss Miss | Gentle Whisper of Cinnamon | A McRib washed down with a Shamrock Shake
FINISH: Like Sophia Vergara slowly drinking a Diet Pepsi, refusing to break eye contact | Spicy Popeye's Chicken Sandwich (but, like, before you could easily get it, so it tasted way better)
SHARE WITH: Only those willing to make a blood sacrifice to Kali Ma!
WORTH THE PRICE: Depends how much you like that favorite kid of yours. If it's not that much, then sure!
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I mean, get your hands on it by any means possible, especially if you want to reserve a spot on the Hale Bopp comet when it comes back round.
OVERALL: As the press release says, Weller fans have been jonesing (Jonestowning?) for a single barrel version. What the press release didn't say is how many of these fans are already lining up to sell their extra kidney to be sure to secure a bottle on the secondary market. It's so awesome that Evolution has equipped us humans with two of these organs, so one can keep us alive and the other can be used as currency for essential purchases like this. HOW COOL!
On a personal note, my bizarre COVID quarantine dreams have only been redeemed by the occasional appearance of the promise of this bottle in my future. And since you are a loyal fan of the blog, I will share a little known secret with you to ensure you snag a bottle of this highly anticipated release: repeat the below words (you'll need the aforementioned kid and a pretty sharp knife, I recommend this one from Bed Bath & Beyond - who can say no to 20% off?):
Bali chadhogayBali mangti Kali MaMukti degi Kalli MaKali maa shakti deBali chadhau tere aageSwikar karoAb iski jaan meri muthi main hai!
PS- Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
BRAND NOTES
W. L. WELLER SINGLE BARREL
William Larue Weller, born in 1825, spent most of his life educating the public on his first-of-its-kind bourbon recipe using wheat in the mash bill. Weller’s gentle, mild and smooth sipping experience changed whiskey as we know it. Handpicked and bottled one exceptional barrel at a time, this special release is bourbon to be savored. Delivering nuanced variations from the ageing process. For the refined bourbon palate, no two barrels are quite the same. Expect distinct, full-bodied flavor in the celebrated tradition of Weller’s wheated bourbon.
TASTING NOTES:
Weller Single Barrel has a nose of cherry and mint, fading to vanilla. Caramel and baking spices with hints of cocoa explode on the palate, with a finish of cinnamon, coffee, and a hint of pepper.
BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASING WELLER SINGLE BARREL BOURBON
New Addition to Wheated Bourbon Line to be Annual Release
FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (May 19, 2020) A Weller Single Barrel offering is the latest addition in the storied Weller bourbon line from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Bottled at 97 proof, the Weller Single Barrel will be an annual release, starting this Summer.
“Many of our Weller fans have been asking for a single barrel bourbon for quite a while, and we’ve planned for this addition for a number of years, so we’re excited to be able to make this happen, said Joshua Steely, marketing manager, bourbon. “Our rye bourbon mash bill has a variety of options, like Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Stagg Jr. George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbons, so it’s nice to be able to offer some variety in our wheated bourbon mash bill as well.”
Tasting notes for the new expression describe the new Weller Single Barrel as having a nose of cherry and mint, fading to vanilla. Caramel and baking spices with hints of cocoa explode on the palate, with a finish of cinnamon, coffee, and a hint of pepper.
Weller Single Barrel joins the Weller line up of Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 years old, Weller Full Proof, Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon, and William Larue Weller, which is part of the Antique Collection, released each fall.
The Weller Single Barrel will be available starting in June this year, and although the offering will be limited, it will be released once per year. The packaging will contain a cork stopper, like the Weller Full Proof Bourbon released last year. Suggested retail pricing is $49.99.
Disclaimer: Buffalo Trace Distillery did not provide Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review and probably never will in the future. We still appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products without actually tasting it and no strings attached. Thank you.