W.L. Weller 12 - The Darling Sipping Whisky

W.L. Weller 12
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Category: American Straight Bourbon, Wheated
Score: 94
Whisky Cabinet Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

This whisky was once the secret darling of the whisky connoisseur, easily available and wonderfully enjoyed. It still is the latter, but with Weller 12’s association with Pappy Van Winkle, it’s no longer a secret. Like Pappy, Weller is a wheated bourbon that uses wheat as the second ingredient in place of rye (both whiskies are made at Buffalo Trace Distillery). Wheat offers a slightly thicker mouth feel, and without rye, those harsher spicy notes associated with rye are lacking. However, because this bourbon is aged for 12 years, you do get these softer peppery spice notes from the oak throughout the flavour profile that's quite wonderful. 

I like this more than the Van Winkle 12 Year Old, though not quite as much as the Pappy 15. It’s truly a delicious complex drink, with a warm inviting nose, an unobtrusive start that leads into this beautifully light peppery spicy finish. To truly enjoy W.L. Weller 12, have a healthy sip and let the flavours expand for ten or more seconds. There's a wealth of complexity there. 

Some call this (mixed with another Weller product) poor man’s Pappy. Does it taste like Pappy? Naw. Not really. But better yet, it stands-up on its own. And you can still find it, usually, which is all the more reason to give this whisky 4  out of 4 star rating. I can’t imagine a bourbon focused whisky cabinet without W.L. Weller 12. 

Nose: Dusty, grainy, with a touch of dried dark fruits and caramel.

Palate: Beautifully full mouth-feel, with a warmth and cinnamon spice that coats the tongue and wraps it up in this blanket of deliciousness. The oaky spiciness finish is long, peppery, and with character. Caramel oaky notes from start to finish.

Conclusion: W.L. Weller 12 is one rare perfect whisky for its price-point. There are slightly more complex whiskies, and more powerful drinks, that might draw more attention and score higher but this whisky has achieved greatness in ways few whiskies do—its timeless flavour. 

The Whisky Cabinet Rating is based on the following:

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  Not recommended
★ ☆ ☆ ☆  Good whisky, but not a ‘must-have’
★ ★ ☆ ☆  Your great regular rotation whisky that'll come and go
★ ★ ★ ☆  Excellent, a near must-have
★ ★ ★ ★  Extraordinary, memorable, and original