Bourbon Review: Old Weller Antique 107

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Whether you are a bourbon aficionado or are a newbie to the bourbon world, chances are you have heard of the Weller bourbons. Made at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the Weller bourbon line consists of: W.L. Weller Special Reserve, Old Weller Antique, W.L. Weller 12 Year, W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B., Weller Full Proof, and William Larue Weller. Although most bourbon drinkers would love to own the Weller collection in its entirety, most private collections will likely consist of the Special Reserve, Antique and 12 Year bourbons.

The Weller bourbons are extremely popular. (If you’ve ever had a difficult time locating the highly coveted Weller 12, I possess first-hand knowledge of your pain and frustration.) The second in the Weller line, the Weller Antique, aged for 7 years and bottled at 107, is for the bourbon drinker looking for an affordable wheated bourbon with a bit more kick to it.

Buffalo Trace Distillery makes the Weller bourbons and according to their website Weller Antique 107 is:

“…a wheated bourbon with a full-bodied flavor and a balanced palate. 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.”

Let’s get to the taste. As promised, Antique delivers much more flavor than the other Weller varities and packs quite a punch. The beginning of the sip is sweet, which we can probably credit to wheat being the secondary grain in the recipe. Let it rest on your tongue for a few seconds and you can feel the bourbon start to dance on your tongue. Upon swallowing, Antique, as if taking it final bow, punches the back of the tongue with sharp spice. If you are someone who loves a combination of sweet and heat flavors, you will like this bourbon. Weller Antique 107, much like its flaming red label, is a bourbon that wants attention and demands to be noticed.

Price: $50 (This is MSRP. Secondary prices could be significantly more. You’ve been warned!)

Age: 7 Years

Proof: 107

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, black licorice

Palate: Cinnamon, cherry, oak, honey

Finish: Hot Cinnamon, Vanilla, Tobacco

Availability: Weller Antique 107 is harder to find in the last five years, but it’s much easier to locate than any Pappy Van Winkle bourbons (which are also made at Buffalo Trace Distillery) or its more mature variant Weller 12.

Fun Fact: William Larue Weller hired Julian Van Winkle, who would later be known as Pappy. Yes, that Pappy. Pappy began his career working for Weller. Weller passed in 1899 and his company, W.L. Weller & Sons, merged with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery which was owned by his former employee, Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle. The two companies worked together through Prohibition operating under a medicinal license, and eventually became the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company in 1935.

Final Thoughts: Weller bourbons are highly coveted. Most bourbon enthusiasts want a bottle for their collection. If you like bold, spicy flavors Weller Antique 107 will be pleasing to your palate. I recommend buying a bottle if you can find it for the MSRP of $50. Beware of secondary pricing with the Weller products. This isn’t a bottle you should spend $200 on.

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