William Larue Weller was one of the early distilling pioneers in Kentucky. While he is well known for replacing rye for wheat in the mash bill, he also believed in the importance of aging his whiskey. To this day, Weller bourbons (made at Buffalo Trace) are aged no less than 7 years. Shoutout to @swansongspirits for the hookup!
Details: Buffalo Trace wheated mash bill No Age Statement but we know it's at least 7 years old 107 proof Color: Light Mahogany Nose: Waves of cinnamon and sweet spice followed by cherry jam, caramel and vanilla. Taste: This is great bourbon my friends. At 107 proof, there are a lot of thick and full flavors. Vanilla, graham cracker, cinnamon sticks, apple pie, and slightly toasted oak.
Finish: A smooth, warming finish with pepper spice, cinnamon, and pleasant heat.
Conclusion: Surprise surprise, I love Buffalo Trace products! Old Weller Antique is sweet, spicy, and full bodied- what else can you ask for in a bourbon? It shares some similarities with Pappy Van Winkle bourbons, but OWA can be found for under $30. If you were to ask me if this lives up the to hype, the answer is a definite yes! My Rating: A (Great)
Two of the great-great-great grandsons of distiller Charles Nelson recently resurrected the Nelson's Green Brier Distillery with the release of Belle Meade Bourbon. Originally located in Green Brier TN, it was one of the largest pre-prohibition whiskey producers of its time. On November 23, 2014, the new Nelson's Green Brier Distillery (now located in Nashville) opened to the public. Details: High Rye Mashbill with 4 hand-selected barrels per batch Aged To Perfection (Andy Nelson stated in a video that each barrel is 6-8 years old) 90.4 proof Color: Honey amber Nose: Caramel candy squares and vanilla are the heavy hitters on the nose. A light floral bouquet is present along with some polished wood. Pleasant, but not too complex. Taste: Initial sweetness with some dried fruit (predominantly apricot) that is quickly dominated by a peppered rye spice.
Finish: Medium in length and smooth with little to no burn. The peppered rye spice lingers with a hint of cinnamon and varnished oak. Conclusion: While I currently live in MD, it's always nice to try good whiskey from my home state of TN. The peppered spice certainly dominates in this high rye bourbon. For $35 a bottle, it's a nice pour, but nothing I would keep stocked in my home bar. I saw they just released a 9 year, barrel proof expression that is currently only being sold at their gift shop...looking foward to trying that one! My Rating: B (Good)
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