Weller Antique Single Barrel Review

This Weller Antique Single Barrel was aged for seven years and two months in Buffalo Trace’s Warehouse I on Floor 7 in Rick 34. Weller, if you’re not familiar, is Buffalo Trace’s wheated whiskey which means instead of rye as the secondary grain they use wheat. This is done to create a sweeter, smoother style of bourbon compared to using rye which produces something spicier.

Weller Antique Single Barrel

While the exact Weller recipe is kept a secret what isn’t kept a secret is the fact that this is the same whiskey as what’s in all of the Pappy VanWinkle releases these days. Yes, they pull from different warehouses, racks, etc. – similar to Jim Beam and their Small Batch picks – but it is the same base whiskey. There’s a whole rant about Pappy prices in there, but I’ll save it so we can get into the review.

Weller Antique Single Barrel Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Weller Antique Single Barrel Color

In Buffalo Trace’s Words: Weller Antique Single Barrel

“A wheated bourbon with a full-bodied flavor and a balanced palette. Old Weller Antique is bottled at 107 proof, offering a complex taste and bold finish. It’s certainly a recognizable member of the Weller label, with its own unique characteristics to compliment the high proof.”

Weller Antique Single Barrel price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Bottled For: PlumpJack Wine and Spirits
Mash Bill: At least 51% corn + Wheat + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 7 years 2 months
ABV: 53.5%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 348

Price: $40

Weller Antique Single Barrel Tasting Notes

EYE
Toffee

NOSE
Oak, Strawberry Necco, fruit gummies, spice, charred marshmallows, dried berries and bits of honey and orange zest.

PALATE
Oak, cocoa, toffee, cinnamon, char, dried strawberries, honey, brown sugar and a touch of orange zest.

FINISH
Med-short -> Oak, brown sugar, dried strawberries and cinnamon.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft warm feeling.

Weller Antique Single Barrel Review: OVERALL

Weller Antique Single Barrel Review

The aroma is a cavalcade of light sweet notes and delicate rustic notes. The palate and finish follow suite and it leaves me saying… what’s gong on? Overall it’s surprisingly light and sweet. I’m used to a different, oakier and richer, profile when it comes to OWA. I’m not saying PlumpJack picked a bad barrel, it’s tasty, but it’s just so… light.

This could be because it’s an Weller Antique Single Barrel and this is just the “single barrel effect” of getting a single component of what becomes the final release. Or, it could be that this is where OWA is these days. It’s been a while since I’ve picked one up and I think I need to now.

SCORE: 86/100 (B)