Well hello again fellow chasers of the brown water!
Added some travel on this one and tried the Weller Full at the Rough Rider speakeasy in Phoenix, Arizona. First of all, it is a nice little hidden gem in the Ten-O-One building but once you emerge from the elevator on the way down, you’re transported and you begin looking for old Teddy himself.
Weller Bourbon Review
This sampling isn’t necessarily for the weak at heart, but more for those of you who like bold sips and an uncut feeling. It’s called “Full Proof” because that is how it is bottled. For the newcomers, that means that it is not watered down after aging, so it will be strong and rich, as it sits around 114 proof (57% ABV). Similar to the rest of the Weller lineup, it has a wheated mash bill which makes it have a sweet hint, unlike other higher-proof bourbons. Strong and sweet. Like the hint of lemon-scented pine sol on a chore filled Saturday.
Things to Note About Weller Bourbon
Some cool things to note about the brand itself. Weller’s is part of the much beloved Buffalo Trace family. The bourbon is named after William Larue Weller, who is a legend in the Bourbon world for popularizing the idea of using wheat instead of rye into the bourbon mash bill. What this did was make the whiskey smoother and is considered a pioneer of this style.
Back to the bourbon. I found this to be a very full bourbon. On the nose (aroma), definitely vanilla and some caramel. The caramel remains in the taste on the palate, with some oakiness. You can definitely pick out the sweet, and it rolls down with a long pair of legs. Remember, that refers to the viscosity or thickness of the liquid itself. So, kind of matches it’s taste a bit, with the sweet. There was a definite heat with this drink, which matches the high proof quality that you’re sipping on. This is definitely a sipper. May recommend a drop or two of water with you or even drop a rock in there for you.
This one definitely was solid all the way through. The lingering mix of spice and almost a darkness among the caramel and a near chocolate feel to it. A definite sipper for the evening, but when surrounded by items that remind you of Teddy Roosevelt and a bygone era, why not sip?
For those techies out there, while the actual mash isn’t out there for Weller’s Full, as it is a Bourbon, we know the corn is Above51 for sure, which the wheat replacing the rye (hence the namesake) and malted barley. At 114 proof, it has the initial punch of bold flavors which gives off an intense but authentic feel. These are believed to be aged 6 to 8 years in Buffalo Trace barrels that are handpicked and aged in climate-controlled rickhouses at the BT distillery.
Overall, found this to be a delightful match for the room that it was being tasted in. Now, like other Buffalo Trace items, Weller Full is considered a small-batch tasting. Though, not quite as scarce as some of the other brothers and sisters the price will vary. Quick looks have some of the bottles around $60, with others upwards of $150-$200. Shop wisely.
In the end, I give this one a solid 8 kernels out of 10. This felt like a friend I didn’t know I had, or wanted. But in the end, was left with the lingering spice, balanced with a smooth richness that left a memorable mark.
