| ABV |
53.5% |
|---|---|
| Aging |
Virgin Charred Oak |
| Recipe |
~70% Corn; 16% Wheat; 14% Malted Barley |
| Distiller | Buffalo Trace (Frankfort, Kentucky) |
This is the second label up from the basic weller brand, still being on the relatively young side but offered at a tempting 53.5% ABV. Originally, this could only be found in Kentucky, but now it appears elsewhere from time to time. As with many Buffalo Trace bottles, it has a tendency to dissapear quickly - last year in Ottawa there were 60 bottles allocated to the city and they didn't stay on shelves more than 2 days....
Review (2016)
Batch: N/A
Bottling Code: B132...
Bottling Date: ~2015
Much more oak and force than the Special Reserve. Powerful vanilla and milk chocolate and caramel add a confectionary quality to the whisky. Dried cherries, light acidity, apricot (dried, fresh, and jam) and marshy oak as well. Thick and deep on the palate, with quite a bit of sweetness carried forward by the proof of the whisky and quite enduring on the palate. The finish is longer, and, indeed, quite a bit better than the Special Reserve. Ends with some caramel candies. Very enjoyable.
Highly Recommended (48% of all whiskies I’ve reviewed to date get this recommendation or higher).
Value: Very high, at $35.
Review (2016)
Batch: N/A
Bottling Code: 36020321171J..
Bottling Date: 2016
Lots of fruity candy here – grape ju jubes, caramel corn, sweet tarts, cream soda…dried corn, apricot (dried, fresh, jam), dried cherries, and lots of oak. Nice and vibrant. Still confectionary on the palate, with a good dose of dried fruit, but there is a good dose of caramel, oak, and tannin, alongside some rich corn – a touch too much. In this case, the tannins are a bit higher than the previous batch – indeed, the oak is a bit mightier. Wondering if it was too mighty, I added some water and the effect is dulled, the candy comes out – but there is still too much bitter oak. Thus, though still very good, the score drops a point – it would, for sure, be two points if it had come in at a lower proof – but good on them, it did not.
Highly Recommended (48% of all whiskies I’ve reviewed to date get this recommendation or higher).
Value: Very high, at $35.