The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Douglas Fraser
Rating: B+
W.L. Weller Antique 107 is 1 of 6 expressions in Buffalo Trace’s Weller line. Originally owned by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company, the expressions are named after William Larue Weller, who was reputedly the first whiskey-maker to use wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye. *
As Buffalo Trace only has one wheated bourbon mash bill, and Pappy Van Winkle does its contract production at this same distillery, it’s well-known that the van Winkle bourbons are built on a solid foundation of Trace’s wheated bourbon. Some Winkle expressions may be drawn from the same stock as Weller entirely. As a result, Weller bourbons are sometimes called “Baby Pappy,” and are accordingly popular, scarce and often found sporting bloated price tags.
The Bourbon
Weller Antique 107 is a wheated Kentucky bourbon that highlights bold and unique characteristics of the Weller profile. It is believed to be matured for at least seven years. Full-bodied, well-balanced, and complex, this bourbon is a delight on the palate. The robust flavors of Weller Antique 107 allow the spirit to be quite approachable despite being bottled at 107 proof/53.5% ABV.
Color: Deep bronze
Nose: Gentle vanilla sweetness, candy apple, caramel, spearmint, oak, cinnamon spice, and floral notes.
Palate: Vanilla, floral, oak, baking spices, pepper, caramel, and green apple.
Finish: Long, spices linger, and hints of dried fruit arise.
The Price
The official price for W.L. Weller Antique 107 is $50, but the market price for this expression is between $150 and $200.
* Editor’s Note: William Larue Weller may or may not have actually invented wheated bourbon, but he certainly did more to popularize it in the mid-19th Century than anyone else.
