1952 Weller Reserve hails from the venerable Stitzel-Weller distillery whose whiskies have become an obscenely hot commodity over the last couple of years. This particular bottle was opened at a gathering of Los Angeles whiskey nerds where we did what you’re supposed to do with bottles like this… drink them. Imagine that.
In that evening we opened some old stuff, killed some modern “legends” and drank through a variety of whiskey with the sole purpose of exploration, understanding and most importantly enjoyment. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit and building the collection and all of that, but at the end of the day stuff like was made made to be drank; so do it. Open it, drink it, share it, enjoy it and revel in it; a closed bottle of something awesome is a tease, but an open bottle of something is pure pornography.
And on that note let’s dig into this smut and get on with the 1952 Weller Reserve review!
1952 Weller Reserve Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Stitzel-Weller
Mashbill: Corn, Wheat and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 7 Years (45-52)
ABV: 50%
Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller
1952 Weller Reserve Review
EYE
Ruddy caramel
NOSE
Sweetly spicy aroma sprinkled with notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, dried dark fruit and nuts. This pretty much defines a rich bourbon aroma.
PALATE
Sweetly spicy flavor sprinkled with notes oak, caramel, vanilla, dried dark fruit, nuts and a touch of mint. Like the aroma the palate is exactly what you want in a rich wheated bourbon flavor.
FINISH
Long drawl of cocoa, mint, caramel, oak and a biscuity essence riding a wave of dark fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Perfectly balanced, rich full body and a heavy oily feel.
OVERALL
Do I really need to convince you that this 1952 Weller Reserve is obscenely good? Rich, dense, heavy and full of the velvety heavy bourbon character we look for and crave this was the holy grail of well preserved whiskey. It was an awesome experience to sit and sniff and sip through layers of oak, dark fruit, spice, vanilla and dark sweets that were unleashed after sitting in a bottle for 64 years.
If you ever get the chance to try stuff like this 1952 Weller Reserve treat yourself and jump on it. Tasting the past is something all whiskey nerds deserve to experience at least once.
SCORE: 93-97/100 (A, consumed at a tasting)
