Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
and new Top 25 list.
From what I have been given to understand, this latest 121.9 barrel proof offering from the Van Winkle/Weller stable is actually the same whiskey as the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B, but instead of 90 proof, this is the pure form. And indeed, pure it is. After four tastings of this very special brand new bourbon, I am most definitely "in love."
If I have referred to the aforementioned Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B as "perfect bourbon" in the past, and indeed I have, this is an improvement upon perfection. It is so smooth that I keep finding myself getting suspicious of the 121.9 proof claim. It also has very little kick, again giving rise to suspicions of the proof. What it does have, regardless of alcohol content, is very, very nice, rich flavors that burst forth on the palate and leave an everlasting finish, which keeps William Larue Weller bourbon, dare I say it, "gentle on my mind."
This excellent bourbon opens with a nice infusion of spicy oak covered liberally with light amber maple syrup or clover honey, and unsweetened cherry juice. As time wears on and we get to the fourth sip or so, I do believe I can actually taste barrel char in here, which mixes interestingly with the cherry juice, and the spicy oak still playing in the background.
The body of this bourbon can be said to be medium, with the flavors bold and rich. If there is one criticism, it is that the sweetness pervades. I might like to see some more power, snap, in the spicy oak portion of the taste profile, but how much can one criticize "perfection"?
I have to take my hat off to Mr. Julian P. Van Winkle III who now oversees the production of the great bourbon/rye traditions begun by his ancestors. With old stocks of famous labels drying up and production now being done at the Buffalo Trace facility, Mr. Van Winkle has found a way to transition certain famous labels into batches of new whiskey worthy of carrying the baton into future years, as well as create new labels. There has been no loss of understanding as to how to make fine whiskey with the passing of the generations.
Mr. Van Winkle, whom I hear only the best things about from proprietors who have met him and his family, can be proud of yet another fantastic offering from the Van Winkle/Weller stable of whiskeys.
It was very hard to decide a final placement for this great new bourbon. Hours of brain busting went into this decision. As great as it is, it could not topple the now defunct W.L. Weller 19 year old, and although it went head up against the Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish bourbon, I finally had to decide that the latter was simply so much of a unique and once in a lifetime bourbon experience, that the new William Larue Weller would have to settle for No. 7. This pushes it's 90 proof "perfect son" down to No. 8, and sadly, Baker's gets kicked out of the Top 10, and we say goodbye to Blanton's as it exits the Top 25.
William Larue Weller barrel proof (121.9) bourbon, 12 years and 2 months in the oak, with a staggering annual evaporation rate of nearly 4.8%. From what I understand, most bourbon evaporates at the rate of about 3% or a little more per year. Who knows what the magic is, but this is magic. How glad am I that a day or two after purchasing my first bottle at the fantastic "walk-out price" of $52.01 ($47.99+tax) I had the foresight to go back for another.
Just try getting your hands on a bottle of this. If you do, don't let go.
2. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 20 year old
4. Booker's
5. W.L. Weller 19 year old
6. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
7. William Larue Weller 121.9 proof
8. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B
9. The Classic Cask Single Batch 18 year old
10. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
11. Baker's
12. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
13. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
14. Knob Creek
15. Pure Kentucky
16. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (original 101 proof)
17. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
18. The Classic Cask Single Batch 17 year old
19. George T. Stagg Spring 2005, 131.8 proof
20. Basil Hayden’s
21. Noah’s Mill
22. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
23. Rowan’s Creek
24. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
25. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
From what I have been given to understand, this latest 121.9 barrel proof offering from the Van Winkle/Weller stable is actually the same whiskey as the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B, but instead of 90 proof, this is the pure form. And indeed, pure it is. After four tastings of this very special brand new bourbon, I am most definitely "in love."
If I have referred to the aforementioned Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B as "perfect bourbon" in the past, and indeed I have, this is an improvement upon perfection. It is so smooth that I keep finding myself getting suspicious of the 121.9 proof claim. It also has very little kick, again giving rise to suspicions of the proof. What it does have, regardless of alcohol content, is very, very nice, rich flavors that burst forth on the palate and leave an everlasting finish, which keeps William Larue Weller bourbon, dare I say it, "gentle on my mind."
This excellent bourbon opens with a nice infusion of spicy oak covered liberally with light amber maple syrup or clover honey, and unsweetened cherry juice. As time wears on and we get to the fourth sip or so, I do believe I can actually taste barrel char in here, which mixes interestingly with the cherry juice, and the spicy oak still playing in the background.
The body of this bourbon can be said to be medium, with the flavors bold and rich. If there is one criticism, it is that the sweetness pervades. I might like to see some more power, snap, in the spicy oak portion of the taste profile, but how much can one criticize "perfection"?
I have to take my hat off to Mr. Julian P. Van Winkle III who now oversees the production of the great bourbon/rye traditions begun by his ancestors. With old stocks of famous labels drying up and production now being done at the Buffalo Trace facility, Mr. Van Winkle has found a way to transition certain famous labels into batches of new whiskey worthy of carrying the baton into future years, as well as create new labels. There has been no loss of understanding as to how to make fine whiskey with the passing of the generations.
Mr. Van Winkle, whom I hear only the best things about from proprietors who have met him and his family, can be proud of yet another fantastic offering from the Van Winkle/Weller stable of whiskeys.
It was very hard to decide a final placement for this great new bourbon. Hours of brain busting went into this decision. As great as it is, it could not topple the now defunct W.L. Weller 19 year old, and although it went head up against the Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish bourbon, I finally had to decide that the latter was simply so much of a unique and once in a lifetime bourbon experience, that the new William Larue Weller would have to settle for No. 7. This pushes it's 90 proof "perfect son" down to No. 8, and sadly, Baker's gets kicked out of the Top 10, and we say goodbye to Blanton's as it exits the Top 25.
William Larue Weller barrel proof (121.9) bourbon, 12 years and 2 months in the oak, with a staggering annual evaporation rate of nearly 4.8%. From what I understand, most bourbon evaporates at the rate of about 3% or a little more per year. Who knows what the magic is, but this is magic. How glad am I that a day or two after purchasing my first bottle at the fantastic "walk-out price" of $52.01 ($47.99+tax) I had the foresight to go back for another.
Just try getting your hands on a bottle of this. If you do, don't let go.
Top 25 Bourbon List
1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 year old 2. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 20 year old
4. Booker's
5. W.L. Weller 19 year old
6. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
7. William Larue Weller 121.9 proof
8. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B
9. The Classic Cask Single Batch 18 year old
10. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
11. Baker's
12. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
13. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
14. Knob Creek
15. Pure Kentucky
16. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (original 101 proof)
17. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
18. The Classic Cask Single Batch 17 year old
19. George T. Stagg Spring 2005, 131.8 proof
20. Basil Hayden’s
21. Noah’s Mill
22. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
23. Rowan’s Creek
24. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
25. Wild Turkey Rare Breed