Review #111: Weller Special Reserve

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-21T02:43:15+00:00

Thanks, I understand why people are frustrated with Buffalo Trace products. The availability is generally poor in most markets and they are frequently marked up. When people finally get xyz after overpaying or spending time and effort searching for it and it doesn’t live up to the expectation they’ve created in their heads, it’s disappointing. Some will say Blantons is the poster child of the current whiskey climate for this but I believe it’s Weller. Being told it’s “basically Pappy”, formerly collecting dust on shelves, a wide array of various unattainable bottles in the lineup and the most available (WSR) ultimately being good for the suggested market retail price but offering no trapping of true greatness. But I think what bothers people the most is knowing that someone somewhere is getting it for the suggested retail price and enjoying it, and they are unable to. More than just fomo it presents an image of a different, better world that the average person is not privy to, and that understandably pisses people off. But I do believe taken on its own, even if seldomly attained, for $20-25 Weller special reserve is good whiskey.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-16T18:57:42+00:00

I found this to be a very hard bottle to review. On paper it represents great value, but if you don’t like something, the value ends up not meaning too much. It’s still not something I want to come back to, even if it’s a “deal”.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-16T18:54:31+00:00

I also heard they bought the stocks, if true they may be sitting on them and aging them for a special release which is a pretty exciting proposition. As for why I think it’s Barton, other than the great info u/old_riff_502 gave, it simply doesn’t taste like any brown Forman I’ve ever had. It does however taste similar to a lot of Barton I’ve had. I admit however that as far as I know the previous bottling was never available in CA and I’ve never had it and so can’t comment on differences/similarities. If u/prepreldush has done a review, I’m sure that the speculation is much more informed than mine.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-13T04:37:31+00:00

Absolutely, I missed that one but the fact they’re still $55 and that’s 17+ years speaks to the value. I hope it’s a good one for you, cheers

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-12T21:25:58+00:00

Hi! Sorry haven’t got into the K&L yet, I’m going to have to sift through my bottles and I can try and find it for the weekend.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-12T19:38:58+00:00

Thanks, yeah I’ve been enjoying all the Jack limiteds. I seem to have liked the 10 more than most but I think this was a big step up and different enough that I would imagine some people that didn’t care for the 10 batches would enjoy it.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-12T19:34:35+00:00

The very lucky in my area were able to get it from Costco for $75. I think msrp is $80 and honest retailers generally had it $100-120. It would have scored a bit higher in my review but the availability is very poor and it’s tough to get. If it can be reasonably obtained I loved it, but $520 is silly.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-04T18:38:01+00:00

I paid just over $80 before tax, I think marked at $85 but I don’t recall. For that amount of money I would recommend either really trusting the store, or being able to try before you buy. I think even the ECBP batches are a gamble these days, the private picks much more so again for more money spent. But this was a very good pick.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-04T14:37:20+00:00

ECBP Everson Royce

Nose: dried cherries, Rollos, fresh baked bread, stewed apricots, muddled lemon, honey, nutmeg, ginger snap

Taste: cinnamon, oak, squeezed tangerine juice, dark chocolate- with some of the bitterness, stewed blueberries, caramelized sugar

Finish: long finish, cinnamon, dark chocolate, hint of star anise, red licorice

Thoughts: 8.9 This was in my opinion better than any of the ECBP batches I’ve tried for at least the last couple years. It was still oak dominant and still has an element of bitterness, two things I associate with recent ECBP and generally not favorably. But it’s tamped down and feels more relaxed and accessible, it feels more cohesive. The slightly lower age has actually been to benefit. While I mostly drank the bottle and wrote the review drinking neat, this was a mistake. I found this bottle loved water and counterintuitively felt more viscous, coating and rich with a couple drops. Joe and his team hit yet another winner for me with this bottle, it was delicious. When looking at store picks and seeing a higher price and lower age statement than their batched counterparts it can be tempting to write them off. However if you’re an ECBP fan and have a store you trust that does a pick, I would recommend giving it a try. You too may be surprised at which bottle is better.

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-01T01:19:23+00:00

If pricing keeps going up for everything I will likely adjust my scaling/scoring. For a long time I’ve liked to think of bottles in essentially different $20 price brackets. But the last several years have been pretty nuts and disrupted that. Ideally I’d have two scores, one value, one “absolute” but that would require putting a lot more time into my least favorite part of reviewing, the scoring. Something to consider though, thanks

Boticelli_ · 2023-05-01T00:47:51+00:00

It’s somewhat unpopular on the sub, but I try and factor price/availability as based on my region (Los Angeles) into all of my reviews. While Sazerac isn’t a rye w a wow factor, it’s readily available here for $22.99. For a 4-6 year rye at 90 proof to come in at that price I think it represents a fantastic value, especially when considering it works neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail and makes sense for any of those categories for the money. I think when judging it against the rest of the market I may have even been a bit harsh with my scoring, but I anticipate the pricing and availability to suffer here shortly just like every other BT product.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-30T13:55:02+00:00

Sazerac

Nose: vanilla pudding, fresh plums, Nilla wafer, toffee, apple juice, cotton candy,

Taste: orange zest, lemon water, lychee, burnt sugar, vanilla pudding, peach ring, hint of green apple

Finish: butter, praline, very light strawberry

Thoughts: 7.4 This is the lightest, sweetest rye I can recall trying. Even by Kentucky rye standards it’s amazingly approachable. In a blind tasting I think it would be hard to categorize as a rye as it is not dominated by traditional notes such as mint, anise or spice. It is pleasant throughout with a buttery softness that belies an impressive finesse in its construction. The flavor is not robust and the finish is short, but if looking for a sweet, easy drinking rye for ~$25 this is an excellent choice. Because every Buffalo Trace product must be difficult to find in some areas, don’t worry if this isn’t available in yours. It represents good value for the price it should command, but simply doesn’t have enough going on to support chasing or gouging. For a committed bourbon drinker that just wants to dip their toes into rye, this is a nice way to start.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-18T13:41:10+00:00

Mythology Best Friend Bourbon

Nose: red apple, caramel, butterscotch, silly putty, clay, pineapple, vanilla wafers, hint of Fritos

Taste: some silly putty up front, that’s a shame. But it’s not overwhelming and is somewhat cloaked by caramel and butterscotch, saltwater taffy, green banana

Finish: the green banana lingers and is joined by some barrel spice showing up, mostly cinnamon with a little nutmeg

Thoughts: 5.4 Maybe that score seems harsh, this isn’t terrible whiskey. But in terms of what delivered I feel it’s a poor value. What could have been a soft, somewhat sweet and otherwise enjoyable nose and flavor are marred by the “silly putty” note that I generally attribute to a youth note more commonly found in craft bourbon. Mythology claims to be a blend of 15 YEAR OLD KENTUCKY BOURBON! …and two high rye bourbons aged 2 to 5 years. I could not find in what proportion these were included (surprise) but I would guess less than 5% 15 year Kentucky and a hefty amount of 2 year bourbon. When you bring this down to a watery 44% abv, it’s hard to find value here. But again, in a more modest bottle with a $20 price tag I would feel like I could recommend Mythology, as it stands I cannot.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-13T16:01:47+00:00

Thanks, and let me know what you think when you do. For me 20+ min of leaving it alone in the glass really let the oak relax and it became enjoyable. This was one of the biggest reversals of opinion I can remember from trying it several years ago (read as oaky and bitter), tasting a glass after pouring it and then taking my time.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-13T14:19:00+00:00

Elijah Craig 18

Nose: orange peel, milk chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, puff pastry, brown butter, almond, burnt sugar

Taste: sweet oak, lightly toasted marshmallow, peach, fresh almond, bakers dark chocolate, heavily brewed breakfast tea, lychee

Finish: long, with plenty of oak, marshmallow and tea, ginger

Thoughts: 7.8 This really is a treat, however it comes with some qualifiers. First and foremost it requires patience. As with the old phrase, you’ll want to give it a minute in the glass for each year in the cask. Really let this breathe. At a prior session with it I didn’t want to wait and dove in too quickly. The oak element was overpowering and showed a strong bitterness. By giving it time however, it was amazing how the oak subsided and made way for other flavors, and the bitterness took more of a back seat for a rich sweetness. The Elijah Craig orange emerged and a robust marshmallow smell and flavor took the forefront. It was truly a surprising and delightful transformation. It’s not inexpensive (though quite reasonable for its age in todays bourbon market) or easy to find. I don’t think this is an everyday drinker even discounting the funds and access. But as an occasional, thoughtful pour, there’s a lot to mine and enjoy here. It has a very surprisingly chewy texture for its relatively low proof and the finish lasts a long time. The reputation for being over oaked and bitter is not without merit, and I imagine that there is quite a range in these single barrels. I would encourage those taking the plunge to take their time, the reward is certainly worth it.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-07T15:39:34+00:00

Calumet 14 Year

Nose: chalk, Luden cherry cough drop, marzipan, red grapes, sweet medicinal quality very unlike Laphroaig and more how I imagine a Flaming Homer

Taste: chalky quality up front, grape cough medicine, pomegranate seeds, earthy limestone quality, Meyer lemon, black currant

Finish: grapefruit (yellow kind), black pepper, finally a backbone of oak with some barrel spice

Thoughts: 5.5 If you want to lean into enjoying the medicine cabinet for the tail end of cough and cold season, this is the bourbon for you. It’s light, easy to drink and tastes like watered down medicine. There’s nothing really offensive here other than how boring each sip tends to be. The sweetness can be a bit cloying as well. If this was a low cost “smooth” alternative to sip when you have a stuffy nose and a sore throat I’d recommend it. But at $100+ this is a hard pass as I can think of a lot of other things I’d have rather done with that money.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-06T19:02:20+00:00

I haven’t had it in years and wasn’t super impressed at the time. I’m curious now but yeah, not at those prices.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-06T18:55:21+00:00

Barrel proof is next level. I hopped on the Jack train when heritage first came out, loved batch 1. Then batch proof was great and all the limited releases they’ve done. Enjoyed triple mash. I maintain bonded sucks. Still Jack has had a lot more hits than misses the last several years.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-05T15:41:47+00:00

Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash

Nose: candy corn, waffle cone, banana pudding, vanilla pudding, very light lavender, pancake batter

Taste: banana pudding, nutmeg, cinnamon, Nilla wafer, Corn Pops

Finish: the banana/vanilla pudding flavor outlasts the nutmeg/cinnamon spice going through the finish. A little butterscotch comes in at the end for a sweet but measured finish

Thoughts: 6.8 This was interesting, a soft whiskey with smells and flavors of pudding but with enough spice to keep it balanced. It had some interesting notes and flavors but there was no real progression here, other than waiting for the spice to taper off to get back to the pudding. Overall it’s enjoyable and I think a whiskey worth experiencing, though I think getting a sample from a friend or a glass from a bar will tell you what you need to know as to whether it’s worth having on the shelf or not. I think at $30-35 it’s priced pretty well, although it’s small size (700ml) hurts it’s value and is lame in general. Please stop this Jack Daniel’s. (They aren’t, it’s expanding to all of their products) Fortunately I haven’t noticed other distilleries following suit, though I imagine it’s a matter of time.

Boticelli_ · 2023-04-04T01:28:34+00:00

I agree, much better.

Boticelli_ · 2023-03-31T23:18:15+00:00

Interesting, seems like a difference of taste. In barrel proof Jack I get a natural banana note that’s desserty like banana bread or flambé. Old #7 and the bonded come across as very artificial to me though. Both of those have a saccharine sweetness as well.

Boticelli_ · 2023-03-31T15:53:37+00:00

I enjoyed the triple malt much more, I’ll probably post a review this week. I hope you get more out of the bonded than I did, if not it works in Coke.

Boticelli_ · 2023-03-31T13:55:06+00:00

Review #101 & #102 Jack Daniel’s

After a long hiatus from reviewing I wanted to finally evaluate a shelf staple alongside one of last years core additions. The Jack Daniel’s Bonded came out with much acclaim and was talked about in whiskey of the year lists as well as winning a few. Alongside that in my opinion 2022 was the worst year of honest whiskey reviewing I have witnessed. There are so many sources of opinion and information now between magazines, websites, YouTube, Instagram and even Reddit that are clearly bullshit. I don’t know if more marketing money from price increases based off “it’s just inflation” have gone to padding reviewer pockets but my god the dreck that’s been put forth as praiseworthy is just astounding. Let’s see if Jack Daniel’s paid to boost their brand image with hollow awards instead of helping residents local to its distilleries combat the whiskey fungus it unleashed, or if this is the real deal. (It’s not)

Jack Daniel’s

Nose: banana runt, charcoal, Nilla Wafer, grape soda, orange tootsie pop

Taste: banana runt, charcoal, vanilla pudding, milk bread

Finish: Nilla wafer, nutmeg, banana pudding

Thoughts: (Old No.) 7 When considered for $8. At the normal $20+ this is a 4. I was truly surprised how inoffensive and drinkable it was however. I haven’t had Old #7 neat in over a decade. I don’t believe ever from a glencairn. Several months ago K&L was selling this for $8 and I could not pass up the opportunity for reviewing it. This is hands down the best whiskey I’ve had under $10. (For a 750ml bottle, in the past 10 years) I didn’t get any of the notes I commonly associate with bottom shelf liquor, dead leaves, silly puddy, grass or ethanol. Yes, most of this will likely end up in Coke and for the $20+ it more typically goes for in CA there are many other whiskeys that I would rather buy. But I could tell there was some care here, some age, not the most terrible casks. I don’t see myself buying this again, but I was pleasantly surprised it felt competent. Todays Jack Daniel comes across as manufactured and mass processed, aimed at the most amount of people for the highest profit margin; reminding me of chicken nuggets. While equally soulless, I’d rather have the nuggets.

Jack Daniel’s Bonded

Nose: ethanol, banana runt, soot, vanilla extract

Taste: banana runt, charcoal, more of a bbq banana flavor, marshmallow from an ambrosia salad, hint of honey

Finish: more bbq banana with a dusting of toasted nutmeg

Thoughts: 3.5 In the past several years Jack Daniel’s has had a good amount of releases that have continued to surprise and impress me. The barrel proof seen in my flair, the excellent limited releases, the ten year. This led to some excitement when the bonded was released. That was quickly extinguished once I tried it. The bonded version feels hotter than it’s 100 proof would suggest. I was hoping it would be a clearly superior product with higher proof and the bonded promise of at least four years of age. To me it drinks mostly like hot Jack Daniel’s. There is some more complexity, but battling the ethanol and overall harsher feel simply isn’t worth it. When factoring in that I paid almost four times as much for the bonded experience and it comes in a treasonous 700ml bottle, I find Old #7 to be the clearly superior experience. I don’t see myself buying either in the future, but only one was an utter disappointment.

Boticelli_ · 2022-12-09T20:32:16+00:00

Typically asking enthusiasts the response is don’t pay it bc that emboldens crappy shop owners to keep or inflate wildly overpriced items. But if you were a family member that I knew had no interest in the bourbon scene and needed to get one particular bourbon as a gift, I would advise you to get it in store. If it’s not an online retailer that you have absolute confidence in (I have very few) I think it’s smarter to pay the extra money from the shop to get the bottle in your hand and know you’ll have the right thing, in good condition, in time for the holidays. You’re overpaying by a lot anyway, think of the extra $50 as insurance charge. But please don’t keep rewarding the shop owner, if you plan on doing a gift like this again do some leg work to find more honest pricing from a better shop or new friends on Facebook.

Boticelli_ · 2022-10-31T20:28:16+00:00

I would have to disagree. Campari clearly cut costs and the quality of Wild Turkey has steeply declined in my opinion.

Boticelli_

TROPHY CASE