Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 15 minutes.
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Proof: 114. Non-chill filtered.
Age: NAS (commonly said to be 6 to 7 years).
Mash bill: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace wheated mash bill.
Retail Price: $65.00.
Appearance: Golden caramel.
Nose
Crème brûlée, toffee, toasted oak, mild cocoa, cherries and red berry reduction, baked apples, vanilla, floral, lemon citrus, nutmeg, a hint of sage, and moderate allspice. I love the balance and flavors of this profile, especially the cherries and oak flavors, with a layer of soft wheat breadiness underneath. Once you give this some time to rest, there is very little proof heat.
Palate
The nose moves right to the palate with crème brûlée, toffee, cherries, toasted oak, vanilla, floral, and some lemon peel brightness. A viscous mouthfeel coats the palate with a good balance of allspice that slowly builds up but doesn’t overpower the sip. The proof point gives this a nice punch while retaining a well-rounded, oak and fruit-forward flavor profile.
Finish
As allspice lingers, the sip carries a lot of oak with cherries, baked apples, vanilla, and a hint of nutmeg. Eventually, leather and tobacco join the party as this long finish ends with lingering musty oak and some dryness. The liquid inside this bottle is commonly said to be aged for around 7 years, but the oak in this finish reminds me of whiskey that has been aged longer.
Conclusion
I might be an outlier, but Full Proof is my favorite in the W.L. Weller lineup, followed by Weller Antique (OWA). I love Full Proof’s distinct oak and fruit flavors at a proof point that delivers a bold, wheated bourbon profile, while remaining a very enjoyable sipper. Unfortunately, the biggest drawbacks to Weller Full Proof are its allocated availability and the price that most stores want. This has been my experience with OWA and Weller 12, too. But there are plenty of other great wheated bourbons to choose from that are readily available at reasonable prices, such as Maker’s Mark CS and 46 CS, Larceny Batch Proof, and Holladay Soft Wheat Cask Strength, to name a few. While none match Weller’s exact profile, you might prefer them more based on your mood and preferences. Hate and hype aside, Weller Full Proof is a great wheated bourbon I highly recommend if you can find it for retail or close to it.
Rating: 7.8/10.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
