Weller 12 Review
In-Depth Review
Weller 12. One of the original bourbons turned unicorns. Something that used to sit on shelves at liquor stores from Los Angeles to Portland, Maine. Today it is better known as “poor man’s pappy” because of it shares the same mashbill and producer as the highly celebrated Pappy Van Winkle line of whiskies. But as the Weller family grows to include Full Proof, Single Barrel, and C.Y.P.B., is Weller 12 year (and it’s almost $200 secondary price) still worth seeking out?
Its immediate stats don’t seem overly impressive. While it carries an age state of 12 years, it’s only presented at 90 proof, and remains chill-filtered. So why is there such a hype surrounding this
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 45%
Cask: Virgin oak casks
MSRP: $35
Distillery Name: Buffalo Trace
Review Date: 2/13/21
Color: Medium gold
Nose: The nose begins with a rush of raspberry cream char, pecan and almond. As it rests more of a berry compote flavor mixes with sawdust, wood, and a slight bitter dark chocolate. An interesting nose that eschews some of the more traditional bourbon notes for deeper, complex nuances.
Palate: On the first sip, there’s more of an explosion of flavor than the 90 proof on the label would lead you to believe. While most 90 proof bourbons can be quite coy at first, Weller 12 jumps headfirst into flavors of Nutella, baking cocoa, cherry syrup, and a touch of maple and marzipan. On the front of the palate the berries that were on the nose appear but settled down quickly. As I took more sips, the whisky seemed to change in the glass. Orange, vanilla and roasted toffee showed up. As it transitioned into the finish, a good dollop of wood and tobacco were added for good measure. The mouthfeel is good, but not exceptional. It’s about on par with Eagle Rare, which can feel thin at times.
Finish: Medium to long finish that showcases oak, oak, and more oak. While the wood seemed to take a backseat to more robust flavors on the palate, the finish is where the oak shines. It interplays with leather, tobacco leaf, char, baking spices, and bitter chocolate - telltale reminders how 12 years of age can have a huge impact on bourbon.
Final Thoughts: This is a fantastic whiskey. It is an explosion of flavors that, at times, shies away from some of the traditional bourbon tropes. But is this the best Weller out there? No. I would argue that the more plentiful Weller Full Proof or Antique 107 are more rewarding pours. Weller 12 lacks the stronger mouthfeel of Weller Antique 107 for example, which can likely be attributed to the significantly lower proof. But the flavors are where this bourbon shines, creating a much more nuanced and complex experience over the younger, fierier Weller experiences. This is absolutely worth seeking out for anything close to MSRP. But I wouldn’t be paying more than $100 to keep this on the bar. It remains incredible steal at MSRP, a strong value for under $75, but beyond that, the competition gets fierce.
