William Larue Weller 2017

Thanks to /u/devoz for sharing a sample of this dram at our most recent tasting (that I’ve written up).

So what does one have second as part of a Bourbon tasting? Given the options, we decided, based on something we had reviews for, it would be William Larue Weller 2017. While it is cask strength, it is rumoured to be a wheater. And without the rye, it can be lighter in profile.

At least that’s what the smarter bourbon people told me, and I’ll follow them off the bridge. Metaphorically. I’ll debate the bridge based on safety concerns. Cause I’m a wild and crazy guy.

What should I say about William Larue Weller 2017 that hasn’t been said before?It’s a wheated, high proof, 12 year offering from BTAC for the year (Thanks for the update /u/HawkI84).These can be tasty, and they can be polarizing. Because so few people actually open their bottles, we don’t know who won each year until the reviewers say something.

So let’s say something then, shall we?

Price: Your first born child

Region: Kentucky

Abv: 64.1%

Colour: 10YR 6/10

Nose: Butter, cherry, wood, herbal, heat

Initial nose is all butter and cherries. That big blast of cherry pie that hits you.

However it winds down after taking centre stage for awhile. There’s no real strong pairing notes with it. Mostly goes to cherries, herbal, and heat.

Taste: Peach, hot, oak, caramel, herbal, butter

Nice peach flavour pops out first, and then it’s quite hot. Really hot. Paris Hilton’s old catchphrase though with more depth.

That takes time to calm down. And water. Water is your friend for the flavour. More caramel, butter, and herbal, though it stays hot. Very hot.

Finish: Rosemary, cherry, oak, dry pear, dry oak

Needs water. Without water it’s heat and herbal, though more herbal overall. Rough herbal.

Water brings out the fruit again, that lovely strong cherry/oak combination that shows up in older, better offerings of William Larue Weller, and a dry finish.

Water is your friend. Unless you’re drowning.

Conclusion: Not my favourite from the year, I’ll start with that. This is hot, all over the place, and in need of more time in the cask. Right now it’s all heat, brash, and not really my thing.

I can see why, for instance, the 2016 was so much better in the reviews. This is unrefined, though with water the finish has some unique elements. So it is saved by that. I’d prefer to have a different year, given the choice.

78/100

Bourbon review #220, Kentucky review #139, Whiskey Network review #1410