REVIEW: W.L. Weller Special Reserve

Nose: Spice rears its beautiful head, Followed by Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, and a Hint of Maple

Taste: Semi Sweet, Vanilla, Caramel, fruit, Low spice, oak

Finish: One of the smoothest finishes yet, Lingers just right, apples and oak

Score: Sam – 6.5/10.0

I haven’t had much experience with wheated bourbon, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this one.  The nose started off with the spice flying out of the glass, followed little more sedately by vanilla, caramel, oak, and just the slightest hint of maple.  I was a little put off by the first sip, it was sweet at first, but quickly receded and let the other flavors shine.  The spice was a little understated, but not so much so that it couldn’t be found.  The finish is one of the best, it is so smooth with just the right amount of lingering burn.  It ends with a slight hint of apples and oak right at the back of your throat. 

I recommend drinking this one neat.  My first glass I had my ice ball, and that was what made it almost to sweet.  I drank the second glass neat.  It tasted a lot better.  It was still sweet, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. 

In case you follow the blog, I know I usually have three scores, but unfortunately Rick wasn’t with me on this one.  So there is only my rating.  I’ll have to buy another one the next time him and I get together so we can get his comments too.