A while back, I was given a bottle of Weller Special Reserve. I used to keep a 5th of WSR on the shelf, so the half gallon found it's way in to the closet. For some reason I thought a bottle that size was a little ridiculous, comical even. But now, given our current situation, it seems perfect. I did an initial tasting and then finished off my glass while lying in bed finishing up Kitchen Confidential by the late great Anthony Bourdain. I think he would approve. It's been a while since I shared any tasting notes, so I wanted to share my thoughts on this easy sipping whiskey.
I discovered that Weller Special Reserve goes really well with dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
About Weller Special Reserve
- Weller Special Reserve is a Wheated Bourbon, meaning the mash bill is a blend of corn, malted barley, and wheat in place of the usual rye.
- 45% ABV
- Distilled and bottled by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky
From the Bottle
W. L. Weller was born in Kentucky in the year
1825. After serving with the Louisville Brigade in the 1840s, Weller returned to Louisville to open his wholesale liquor business. He is reported to have used the slogan "Honest Whiskey at an Honest Price." His wheated recipe bourbon had a softer, smoother taste that became very popular. Pappy Van Winkle eventually merged Weller's namesake company with the A. PH. Stitzel Distillery to form the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. This delicate bourbon with hints of caramel and honey honors one of America's first whiskey pioneers.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
- Weller Special Reserve has an amber or caramel color too it
Nose
- On the nose, there are sweet notes of vanilla and spice and some notes of ethanol as well
Taste
- Much like the nose, there were sweet notes of vanilla, but also some caramel and honey. There were some spicy notes as well
Finish
- Weller Special Reserve has a long smooth finish that hangs around for a few minutes. Up front there notes spice that gave way to some sweet vanilla on the back. The vanilla gave way to some more spice just on the finish.
