Review: Weller Full Proof
Review: Weller Full Proof
Weller bourbon fans suddenly have more choices to consider with the introduction of Weller Full Proof, a 57% abv version of its beloved, wheated standby.
Per distiller Buffalo Trace:
Buffalo Trace Distillery fills their wheated bourbon barrels at 114 proof, hence the name Full Proof. This bourbon forgoes chill filtration to preserve all the naturally occurring residual oils and flavors, but this whiskey can potentially appear cloudy when cold. By offering this high proof non-chill filtered version, Weller’s signature wheated bourbon flavor and mouthfeel will be showcased.
“We expect fans of Weller will be excited about this new offering. Bourbon drinkers are asking us for high proof and non-chill filtered bourbon more and more,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “Bar owners and liquor stores who have selected barrels of Weller over the years will regularly request their bourbon to be non-chill filtered. It will be nice to offer Weller Full Proof as an option.”
The Weller Full Proof will be available starting in June this year, and although the offering will be limited, it will be released once per year in limited quantities. The packaging will contain a cork stopper, like the Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon released last year.
Let’s give the high-proof version of Weller a spin. The nose is iconic Weller, with loads of well-charred wood, molasses, vanilla, and a gentle smoky aroma. A lacing of honey candy lingers underneath the char, sweetening things up just a bit more. The palate is bold and racy and, as expected, quite hot. Cloves and toasted cinnamon sticks provide a spicy base from which to build, with dark caramel, intense vanilla, and a hint of banana building and building for quite awhile. The finish pours on the dessert notes, complete with cherry on top, as the sweetness comes to a crescendo of mouth-stinging flavor.
The overproof Old Weller Antique 107 used to cost $22. Now it’s $120. At the MSRP of $50, Weller Full Proof is a veritable bargain… alas, bottles are already selling to suckers for $800. <cue sad trombone music>
114 proof.
A / $50 / buffalotracedistillery.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Not a Bourbon drinker. I found the nose very French Toast , the middle hot, the finish lingered cherry.
Excellent.
Just spotted a bottle at a local wine/spirits shop. The price… $799. I’m sure it’s a lovely bourbon, but $799!? That’s $400 more than I recently paid for a George T Staff 18 yr Antique Collection. This is insane!
Found Full Proof at $54, bought it and A Weller 12…. Good Fay