Weller 12-Year Tasting Notes/ Review

Weller 12-Year, the bottle I’ll be reviewing today, first hit the market in 2001 as a $20 bottle. A wheated bourbon with an undisclosed mash bill, it’s produced at the ever-popular Buffalo Trace distillery and is bottled at 45% ABV. Although the MSRP is around $49, actual sightings of a bottle more commonly come with price tags hovering around the $200-$300 range.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Weller 12 Year has a customary bourbon aroma with strong upfront caramel, vanilla, and charred oak scents. A compound of crème brulee and fruit sweetness like apple, apricot, and cherry forms the aroma. Touches of dry leather and sweet oak weave in and out, and the aroma brings a very inviting depth.

Palate: Warm and smooth, with so much vanilla caramel candy and toffee combined with sweet charred oak, making a first impression. This Bourbon covers my taste buds on my second sip with buttery croissant notes with prominent cherry, apple, and raspberry notes. Heat is present, but it is enough to tell you this is 45% alcohol. I enjoyed all the flavors along with a medium viscosity mouthfeel.

Finish: The Weller 12-Year finish is medium length. It starts soft and gently ramps up, pushing forward sweet oak notes, pie crust with cinnamon, and toasted pecans. The Bourbon's fruit notes return as the heat intensifies, enveloping your mouth with sweet flavors. The Weller 12-year-old shines on the finish, making this a delightful pour of wheated Bourbon.

Summary: Weller 12 Year continues to be an excellent wheated bourbon in 2024. This Bourbon maintains a high quality and enjoyable character, making it a famous wheated bourbon. Now, you must realize that this whiskey is one of my favorites. So, my review may be a little jaded because of my enthusiasm for this whiskey.

All reviews must have some criticism. So here are mine. So who decided on a screw top? This Bourbon requires a cork. Would it be too much for a cork to be offered in a bottle selling for over $200? I also think that this Bourbon needs to be slightly higher proof. I realized that Sazerac is looking at the economics and how a 12-year-old barrel has lost considerable volume. But this old classic could use a few more proof points.

Most Weller bottles are worth more than their MSRP numbers, but not a few hundred that are asked in the secondary market today. This is a great bourbon and deserves a premium price point. I've said many times that many great Bourbons are in the 50 to 70-dollar range. But, again, it's a great-tasting Bourbon with a great heritage that is nice to have in your collection.

I want to thank Rodger Wilco Liquor in southwest New Jersey for the opportunity to purchase this bottle of Weller for 12 years at a reasonable price. Rodger Wilco has a great Bourbon and Rye selection and excellent product pricing. They have some significant events throughout the year and support the local food bank. Any business that supports its community deserves praise.

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