William LaRue Weller (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: Reportedly 12 years

Bottled: 2020

Proof: 134.5

Finish: None

This is the wheated bourbon entry in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, which is released annually. Each year, the proof, the age, and the number of bottles vary. It's always bottled at barrel proof, and generally the age hovers around 12 years. The 2020 release clocked in at a whopping 134.5 proof. That is significantly higher than the typical Weller 12 year, which is bottled at 90 proof. This bourbon is named after William LaRue Weller, who is considered the father of wheated bourbons. The mash bill is exactly the same as the venerable Van Winkle bourbons. Word has it that Van Winkle has the pick of the litter, through its contract with Buffalo Trace. What Julian doesn't choose goes into Weller. Only the best Weller barrels are chosen to represent the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The wheated William LaRue Weller is the most sought after, and therefore the most expensive, entry in the BTAC. If you don't win the lottery, then you should expect to pay over $2,000 for this bottle.

Color: Ruddy auburn

Body: Full, rich, sticks to the glass

Nose: Initial blast from the proof (give it a second), brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie, raisins

Palate: Warms mouth, but not too hot, drinks lower than its proof, warm Krispy Kreme donut, vanilla custard, tad of chocolate, rich and creamy, little pecan sandies, water brings more vanilla, pecan and raisins

Finish: Long, mint, chocolate, raisin bread

Score: Ace

Song: Nothin' But A Good Time - Poison

I slowly collected my full line of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bourbons, and they occupy the most exclusive shelf in my bourbon collection, alongside my collection of Van Winkle bourbons. This is my third bottle of William LaRue Weller. How does it compare to Pappy? Amazingly well. Even though WLW is younger, it can stand up next to Pappy 20 and Pappy 23 with extraordinary fortitude. I dare say it may actually be better than Pappy. I expect the barrel proof is the reason. You don't taste the oak and the cherry flavor that you get from the Pappy's, but you taste the flavors extracted from the oak, like vanilla, chocolate and pecan. Personally, I believe wheated bourbons can handle the extra aging, but I also believe they can handle the extra proof. This bourbon has almost everything. The nose brings in apple and cinnamon at first. The palate brings the donut, vanilla and chocolate. Delving deeper brings the pecan and raisins. The finish keeps the chocolate and raisins for a very long time. This masterpiece is a Krispy Kreme donut, filled with vanilla custard, and topped with chocolate icing. It's rich, sweet and creamy. There are also hints of Keebler pecan sandies and Raisinettes. It's absolutely stunning. This is truly one of the best bourbons in the world. Hence, I suggest pairing it with the greatest party metal song of all time, Nothin' But A Good Time by Poison. WLW can rival the aged Pappy's any day. It's easy to see why it leads the BTAC. I can only imagine how good this bourbon would be in the 15 to 18 year range, or how good Pappy 20 or Pappy 23 would be, if they were bottled at barrel proof. This is an annual reason. Enter the lottery, or pay for it online.