William Larue Weller Bourbon bottled 2014

I thank @paddockjudge for the reviewed sample of 2014 release William Larue Weller. William Larue Weller is the Buffalo Trace Antique collection annual barrel strength release of wheated bourbon. William Larue Weller is the uncut heavyweight in the mellow world of wheated bourbon. In recent years WLW has frequently been named Jim Murray's Second or Third Finest Whisky in the World

Colour: much darker than 99% of what's out there

Nose: intense sweet oak and intense middle-pitched wheat grain flavours. Alcohol is noticeable, but not an issue for me. Perfect sweet/dry balance. An outstanding barrel strength wheated bourbon nose, and an outstanding William Larue Weller nose. Water added raises the pitch and adds sweetness. Excellent with water added also. Score: 24.5/25

Taste: excellent translation of the nose flavours with heavier caramel in the mouth than in the nose. This palate is almost as good as the near-perfect nose. Water added bundles the flavours and emphasises the sweetness. I like the delivery better without the water. Score: 23.5/25

Finish: very long finish with a gradual uniform diminishment of the excellent flavours. Water added finish continues the water added palate. I prefer the finish without water added. Score: 23.5/25

Balance: very good to excellent balance in all tasting phases. Score: 23/25

Total Sequential Score: 94.5 points

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Strength: among the most intense whiskies on earth. Score: 24.5/25

Quality: Excellent flavours without exception. Score; 24/25

Variety: lots of variety: Score: 22.5/25

Harmony: very good to excellent harmony in all phases. Score: 23/25

Total Non-Sequential Score: 94 points

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Comment: this is a review of the sample at hand. I have some cognitive dissonance here. I also sampled from this same bottle in Canada a couple of years ago when it was more recently opened. At that time I remember the whiskey to be a good bit rougher than I am currently experiencing this sample, which is fabulous. At that time I would have rated the whisky quite a bit lower. @paddockjudge, have you noticed much change in your 2014 WLW since you opened it?

Whatever the answer, this sample tastes fabulous now

@paddockjudge commented:

This one is a stunner. An excellent bourbon when first opened and now better. It sits in the top flight of buorbons from which I have tried. I find it softer, if that is possible for a 140 proof whiskey, yet intensely flavourful. Make no mistake, this wheated bourbon walks tall and carries a big stick. My favourite grain is rye; however, my favourite bourbon is WLW.

Comment on @Victor's review

Next up: the BTAC's wheated bourbon, William Larue Weller. The 2014 release was distilled in spring 2002 and matured in 39 barrels for 12 years and 3 months before bottling in fall 2014.

The colour is very deep, dark amber - I swear it's almost purple. On the nose - my word. Leather, boot polish, cloves, thick juicy oak. Slight hint of black liquorice allsorts. The caramel and vanilla are there but they are waiting in the wings behind the richest, most aromatic oak you've ever whiffed. Yet so subtle. Water brings out meatier notes of beef bourguignon. How is this possible?

On the palate, more leather and varnish (no, that's actually good) but very hot with the ABV. Christmas spices, plums, molasses - very chewy. But also herbal with BBQ wood smoke. Water adds notes of baked apple and espresso beans. Intense and all-encompassing, but again - complexity and layers upon layers of complementary flavours.

The long finish is toasty, amazingly smooth, and features more plums and molasses. Allspice and thick oak runs in the background. This is extraordinary - one of the most beautiful bourbons I've ever had the privilege of tasting. I am partial to wheated bourbons and when I taste this, I understand why.