Weller Aged 12 Years

Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: 12 years

Bottled: 2018

Proof: 90

Finish: None

This is the 12 year version of Weller, the standard wheated bourbon line from Buffalo Trace. It's always bottled at 90 proof. This is the whiskey that is commonly referred to as the "Poor Man's Pappy". In fact, it is often compared to Van Winkle's Special Reserve - Lot B, which is also 12 years old. The theory is what Julian doesn't pick becomes Weller. What Buffalo Trace doesn't choose to bottle at barrel proof as William LaRue Weller from the BTAC becomes Weller 12. As you can see, they all start out with the same mash bill, and they all have the same age. The age of WLW can vary, but it hovers around 12 years. WLW is bottled at barrel proof, but Lot B at 90.4 proof is very similar to Weller 12 at 90 proof. The Pappy hype has driven up the price of Lot B to over $1,000. The Weller hype has driven up the price of Weller 12 to several hundred dollars.

Color: Deep amber

Body: Medium to full

Nose: Vanilla custard, stone fruits, cherry, sugar plums, very little spice, maybe cinnamon

Palate: Oak forward, vanilla bomb, a little more spice, black pepper, cherry, tobacco, water brings more sweet tobacco notes

Finish: Medium to long

Score: King

Song: More Wine Waiter Please - The Poor

Score one for value. Weller 12 stands up rather well to Lot B at a quarter of the price. See my Lot B review for further information. The extra aging on this version of Weller brings out more oak and more vanilla. There is also that conspicuous tobacco flavor, especially when water is added. There is some cherry and sugar plum sweetness, balanced by some cinnamon and black pepper spiciness. Overall, Weller 12 is a nicely rounded bourbon. Since it's often called the "Poor Man's Pappy", I recommend pairing it with More Wine Waiter Please by The Poor. While it's a better value, it still falls short of its wealthier cousin. To me, the Van Winkle bourbons have more richness and deeper flavors than the Wellers do. Clearly, Julian agrees. WLW from the BTAC is the exception. It competes well with Pappy 20 and Pappy 23 with less much age, probably due to its higher proof. That brings me to my major complaint with Weller 12. It needs to be higher proof. That extra ABV would pull more flavors from the barrel. This tasting experience gave me the incentive to try my hand at blending. Watch my video where I blend equal parts of Weller 12 and Weller Full Proof, trying to up the alcohol level. It made a big difference. At any rate, Weller 12 is cheaper and more readily available than Lot B. Grab yourself a bottle. You won't regret it.