Weller C.Y.P.B. (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon)

Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: 8 years

Bottled: 2021

Proof: 95

Finish: None

A few years back, Buffalo Trace started asking bourbon fans what they thought were the elements of the perfect bourbon. The experience was called "Craft Your Perfect Bourbon". The fans responded, the results were compiled, a consensus was reached, and Buffalo Trace gave the fans what they wanted. A new Weller was born, because the fans requested a wheated bourbon. They said it should be aged for 8 years on the highest floors of the warehouse and bottled at 95 proof. The higher floors will age the bourbon faster. This is an annual release from Buffalo Trace, and it joins the basic line of Weller wheated bourbons. Remember, they all share the same mash bill as the venerable Van Winkle bourbons. Weller C.Y.P.B. is allocated, making it hard to find. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars over list price. Welcome to the Buffalo Trace hype.

Color: Bronze

Body: Full, drapes and clings to the glass

Nose: Raisin, funnel cake, allspice, graham cracker, apricot

Palate: Toasted oak, allspice, herbal tea, white chocolate, butterscotch, honey, graham cracker, water brings back the raisin notes.

Finish: Medium, butterscotch lingers

Score: King

Song: Another Perfect Day - Motorhead

I love wheated bourbons, in case you can't tell from my previous reviews. They are the smoothest, sweetest, fruitiest and creamiest of all bourbons. They are my favorite sippers. I believe wheat can handle age better than rye, and I believe wheat can handle proof better than rye. They don't get as dry with age, and they don't get as spicy with proof. Now, Weller C.Y.P.B. is neither highly aged nor highly proofed. It's smack dab in the middle. Thus, it isn't going to be in the same league as the Van Winkles or the William LaRue Weller from the BTAC. Still, it holds up nicely on its own. There is a sweetness from white chocolate, honey and butterscotch. There is a fruitiness from raisin and apricot. There is a doughiness from funnel cake and graham cracker. There is a spiciness from allspice and herbal tea. The oak is lightly toasted and mellow. Is it the perfect bourbon? Of course not. If it was, it would be priced too high for anyone to acquire. Remember, this isn't Pappy or WLW. If not for the Buffalo Trace hype, this would be a reasonably priced bourbon and an everyday drinker. How does it compare to other mid-range Wellers? You'll have to watch the Weller flight video. At any rate, this is what the fans called the perfect bourbon. Hence, I suggest pairing it with Another Perfect Day by Motorhead. Weller C.Y.P.B. is an annual release. It's essentially a small batch, so it should be relatively consistent from year to year.