William Larue Weller "2009 Release" (BTAC) 134.8 Proof Straight Bourbon (750ml) (1 btl limit)

SKU #1419783 96 points Whisky Advocate

This whiskey has improved greatly over the past two years. (I thought that the 2007 release was almost too easy-going, as some wheated bourbons can be.) A little more oak spice has added balance, complexity, and depth. Very clean on the palate. Layered sweetness (toffee, caramel, maples syrup, elegant rum) provide a foundation for warming cinnamon, bramble, blueberry tart, sultana, light candy corn, herbal tea, and subtle marzipan. A soft, dry, polished oak finish ropes in all the sweetness, keeping me wanting more. Excellent! Reviewed by: John Hansell (Spring 2010) (4/2010)

K&L Notes

The 2009 release within the famous Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, which celebrates historic bourbon brands and figures. Buffalo Trace's parent company, Sazerac, purchased the Weller brand from United Distilleres in 1999, 7 years after distilling operations at the legendary Stitzel-Weller had been shut down. William Larue Weller was a 19th century whiskey rectifier and distiller, who's W.L. Weller and Sons company was run by the legendary Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle. The Weller and Van Winkle brands are both produced at Buffalo Trace distillery nowadays, distilled to very similar old Stitzel-Weller recipes, and are among the most sought after bourbons on the market. Distilled from Kentucky corn, North Dakota Wheat and Malt in the Fall of 1998 at 130 proof off the still. Filled into barrels at 114 proof for 11 years on the 5th floor of warehouse N & O. 57.2% of the original whiskey had evaporated when 41 hand picked barrels were dumped in the Fall of 2009. Bottled at cask strength of 134.8 proof without filtration. This bottle received a 97 point score from Buffalo Trace enthusiast Jim Murray.