Weller 12
Weller 12, often referred to as “Weller 12 Year,” has earned a legendary status among bourbon aficionados. Its rich flavor, rarity, and association with high-quality wheated bourbons make it a highly sought-after bottle. Whether you’re new to bourbon or an experienced enthusiast, understanding the story, profile, and appeal of Maker’s Mark is essential to appreciating its value.
What is Weller 12?
The perfect bourbon whiskey from the Buffalo Trace Distillery with its smooth, wheated mash bill. Weller Special Reserve is a premium bourbon whiskey known for replacing rye as the secondary grain in its mash bill with wheat, thus imparting a mellower, sweeter flavor. It is aged for 12 years in oak barrels, boasting a rich and complex flavor with caramel, vanilla, oak, and subtle spices.
Maker’s Mark is basically poor man’s Pappy because they’re related to the iconic Pappy Van Winkle line. They both share the same wheated recipe. But the high quality and rising popularity mean that the bourbon is getting harder and harder to find at retail price.
Whether enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Weller Special Reserve offers a decadent bourbon experience. Its interplay of smoothness and complexity makes it appealing to drinkers at all levels-from those just starting to drink bourbon to seasoned collectors.
Why is Weller 12 So Popular?
1. Flavor Profile: Maker’s Mark has a very well-balanced combination of sweetness, oak, and spice. Aging in the barrel contributes to its rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit, and its wheated mash bill affords it a softer mouthfeel. It is therefore far smoother than a decent number of rye whiskies out there.
2. Rarity: The rarity of Weller Special Reserve makes it very difficult to encounter in individuals’ normal liquor purchases. The limit in availability of Weller 12 creates infatuation amongst the collectors and whiskey connoisseurs who are keen to get this whiskey into their own collection.
3.Value:
Weller Special Reserve is well in-demand and continues limited supply and once again is very affordable at retail prices. Weller 12, on one hand, has a good return and somewhat more affordable owing to its existence. Yet, the price in the secondary market can increase even higher.
4.Connection to Pappy Van Winkle:
Since its mash bill resembles the coveted Pappy bourbons, it will be more available for those who cannot get a bottle of Van Winkle.
Flavor Notes of Weller 12
One other reason that Weller Special Reserve stands out is because of its stunning flavor assessment. Here is what to expect:
Nose:
An aromatic blast of vanilla, caramel, and oak are followed by lighter notes of honey and dark fruits like cherries and plums.
Palate:
Smooth and rich on the palate; flavors of toffee, brown sugar, and vanilla mingle with the slight taste of dark chocolate and baking spices to add complexity. The wheat gives it a creamy mouthfeel due to the mash bill selected.
Finish:
The finish runs long and warm while lingering with oak, spice, and a touch of sweetness.
How is Weller 12 Made?
The production of Maker’s Mark follows a meticulous process that begins with its unique mash bill. Instead of the usual rye, wheat is used as the secondary grain, giving the bourbon its characteristic smoothness. The whiskey is aged for 12 years in charred oak barrels, where it gains its rich color, depth, and complexity.
Buffalo Trace Distillery carefully monitors the aging process to ensure consistency and quality. The extended aging period also allows the bourbon to absorb more flavors from the barrel, resulting in a well-rounded spirit.
Where to Buy Weller 12
Because it is produced in small batches and sought after badly, Maker’s Markcan be somewhat hard to find. Here are some alternatives:
Retail Shops:
Most liquor stores stock Weller 12 from time to time. It’s better to check places that sell premium bourbons.
Online Shops:
There may be some online retailers with the bottle, but be ready to pay a premium, as the prices that are charged in the secondary market are normally buttressed compared to the MSRP.
Bull Sessions and Auctions:
Joining i.e. dithering, whiskey aficionados or some auctions may help you find a bottle. All sorts of collectors are prepared to barter or sell Weller 12 to others like themselves.
How to Enjoy Weller 12
While bourbon lovers may choose other substitutions, with the right accompaniment, Weller 12 is qualified for so many other adventures. Neat: Placing Weller 12 at room temperature on the tongue allows one to indulge in a juicy caravan of flavor notes and aroma.
Rocks: Throw in a couple ice cubes to soften the bite and give your bourbon a refreshing lift-up, especially for softies just getting into bourbons.
Water: A drop or two will allow the bourbon’s flavor elements to unlock, revealing subtle notes that may otherwise go unnoticed when sipped neat.
Cocktails: While Weller 12 is fabulous to sip on its own, it is also worthy enough to be used in classic bourbon cocktails such as the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
Alternatives to Weller 12
If you’re fresh out of luck with finding Weller 12, you might like exploring more wheated bourbons:
Maker’s Mark: Certainly a wheated bourbon, this bourbon is quite common and has a nice, soft, sweet flavor.
Larceny Small Batch: A decent alternative for folks who’d enjoy some wheated bourbon with just the right blend of sweetness and spice.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: A bold, premium wheated bourbon that flaunts impressive flavors.
Is Weller 12 Worth the Hype?
While some connoisseurs view Weller 12 as the epitome of the wheated bourbon genre, in all honesty, it all depends on who you ask.
For collectors, this one’s far better-a prize! Rarity, association to J.P. Van Winkle, and prestige-all become a highlight in any collection and a coveted possession.
For the majority of us, however, the syrupy texture of Weller 12 simulates a knee-buckling experience that isn’t acute at all. And had it retail priced out to be what it’s worth, it’d certainly be a great value. Invariably this will be higher than some other brands such as Maker’s Mark or Larceny.
The hype, of course, is a product of exclusivity: With good quality comes collectibles. It is such goods whose value will take wing if exclusivity is your priority, and if you’re into wheat-dominant bourbons.
Final Thoughts
Unlike any other, Weller 12 is a wonderfully balanced bourbon that distills quality, stout history, and tasteful craftsmanship. With a dozen years snug inside its barrel and a wheated mash bill, it soars on cotton candy cloudations of that caramelized oak and vanilla play ready while keeping up to the notes of broader complexity.
For that reason, it has become rather the bottle to be part of any collector’s array because of its rarity, connection to the Pappy Van Winkle line, and prestige attached to Buffalo Trace. It commands unquestionable primacy and respect. For the everyman’s side, it potentially holds luxurious experiences to be had neat or otherwise, on special occasions.
True in that it’s relatively rare and that secondary markets are both exorbitant and often seem unreasonable, inflating their worth checks against more common options. While it may be worth its price brand new, indeed, Maker’s Mark or Larceny offer you great bottles generally much more cheaply and much opportunist than Weller 12.
There’s that hype; Weller 12 is a genuinely good go if you happen across it. It speaks to both the art and passion of bourbon, offering quite the journey.
