How Do You Take Your William Larue Weller?

[dbk]

I bought a bottle of William Larue Weller (134.8º) this summer, and finally cracked it on the weekend. After all the love shown for it here on SB, and my extraordinary fondness for George T Stagg and other BT bourbons, I expected a lot from this one. Unfortunately, I'm just not finding myself feeling the same sort of excitement I had with the GTS. It seems wound up very tight, with something of a Cognac quality to it. That isn't a bad thing, exactly, but it's not the beast I expected it to be.

So here's my question: how do you take your WLW? I don't tend to add water to most of my bourbons—not because I'm macho, but because I typically enjoy them "as is"—but I'm willing to see what water can do for this guy. If you water it, how much do you typically add? And if you don't, did you find it opened up over time, as the bottle got a bit more air in it?

PS Apologies if this thread doesn't belong here, or if it's a stupid question to pose, or if it's been answered somewhere else. I tried doing my "homework" first!

[barturtle]

If you find it "tight" try pouring it and letting it sit in the glass for a half hour or so.

[TNbourbon]

I downright hated the original, 2005 bottling -- so much so that I almost missed out on the execptional '06! -- but I wound up enjoying it quite nicely in a 1:1:1 'mixed' drink with water and GTS.

[Parkersback]

In light of this question, and for your stated love of Stagg, I'm wondering how you take your Stagg. I'm having the same trouble with it, not finding a way to enjoy it in the same way everyone describes it here.

I can't answer your question since I haven't opened my WLW yet.

[fishnbowljoe]

I take my WLW any way I can get it. :rolleyes: After all, I am the Weller whore of SB. :lol: All kidding aside, the 09 WLW is a bit "hot". I use a cube or two and let it sit a while. Maybe a splash of water. Or, as suggested by another member here, I add a touch of Old Fitz Prime to it. Takes the edge off, and makes it much more palatable. Joe

[Josh]

I don't know how people here can drink WLW or GTS neat without completely destroying their esophaguses (esophagi?). What I do is let it rest for a while, 20-30 mins, then add some filtered or distilled water to taste. For me, the burn overwhelms the rest of the flavors neat.

[dbk]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, folks! I do tend to let my whiskey "rest" in the glass for a bit, but maybe I should leave it even longer. Perhaps a splash of water first, then play the waiting game. I might also try mixing it with another bourbon, as suggested by a few here, but I was hoping to discover WLW on its own first.

In light of this question, and for your stated love of Stagg, I'm wondering how you take your Stagg. I'm having the same trouble with it, not finding a way to enjoy it in the same way everyone describes it here.

In spite of the ridiculously high proof, I take my GTS neat. It blows my mind every time. That said, I have yet to even try to water it, so perhaps I'll enjoy it even more when I have done so. I know lots of people would sooner water it (see Josh's quote, below), because the burn can be really bad.

I don't know how people here can drink WLW or GTS neat without completely destroying their esophaguses (esophagi?). What I do is let it rest for a while, 20-30 mins, then add some filtered or distilled water to taste. For me, the burn overwhelms the rest of the flavors neat.

You're almost certainly right about that, Josh. I just love the kick of the GTS so much that I worry I'll lose it to the water. But what's the harm of a dram or two of experimentation, really? I'll give it a shot.

You've been really helpful, everyone! Thanks again.

[SMOWK]

I drink everything neat. I've played around with water and ice, and I still do occasionally. But I've yet to find anything that I enjoyed more with water, than without.

[Gillman]

I dilute these to about 80-90 proof.

Gary

[StraightBoston]

I'm with dbk on the Stagg -- one of the things I love is that it is sippable neat (can't say that about Booker's IMHO!)

Depending on the vintage, I drink WLW neat or with a splash. I've found that one cube makes it a little less multidimensional. (However, I'm going to give the dilute-with-Old-Fitz-Prime approach a try the next time!)

[p_elliott]

When I drink WLW or GTS I drink it neat but take incredibly very small sips. It taste great to me, I tried WLW over ice and it just ruined it.

[jburlowski]

I always add a splash of water to the high-barrel-proof BTAC. That's the only way you can get all the taste. A 140 proof whiskey will numb your tastebuds very quickly.

[callmeox]

I always add a splash of water to the high-barrel-proof BTAC. That's the only way you can get all the taste. A 140 proof whiskey will numb your tastebuds very quickly.

You saved me some typing.

[Special Reserve]

Earlier I posted that I opened a WLW 117.9, it is fabulous neat room temperature.

[birdman1099]

"how do I take my WL Weller...?"

Anyway I can get it, Baby !!!!!:grin:

[dbk]

"how do I take my WL Weller...?"

Anyway I can get it, Baby !!!!!:grin:
In retrospect, this is the response I should have expected from the first ;)

I added a splash of water to my WLW and let it sit for a good half hour tonight. It was definitely more interesting and enjoyable than the last few tries, so I think I'll stick to this regime (or variations thereof) from now on. Thanks for the suggestions, folks!

[darkluna]

I downright hated the original, 2005 bottling -- so much so that I almost missed out on the execptional '06! -- but I wound up enjoying it quite nicely in a 1:1:1 'mixed' drink with water and GTS.

That is a really interesting combination, how did you ever come up with that

[politely]

Straight. Although, I only have experience with the 2010, in my view, when I water it down, it tastes more generic, the flavors are more dilute, and it seems to lose that special character.

[dustyj]

I put one cube of ice "only distilled water" in the glass after pouring a 1.5 oz shot. I let it sit and get back to room temperature. Next best thing to a Weller Centennial.

[ErichPryde]

I dilute these to about 80-90 proof.

Gary


Sometimes I dilute mine. But unlike Gary, I typically don't dilute below 100. My favorite proofs sit at 101, 107, and 114. I'm perfectly willing to experiment of most of the barrel proofers I have, and it's a lot of fun and has taught me a lot about bourbon.

One thing you can learn from Gary- Gillmanize. experiment. try it different ways. I'm serious, this is no stab in his direction- I learned something important somewhere in his posts.


"how do I take my WL Weller...?"

Anyway I can get it, Baby !!!!!:grin:


Oh, I'll give it to you!

[ErichPryde]

I don't know how people here can drink WLW or GTS neat without completely destroying their esophaguses (esophagi?).

sarcaphogi, I think? or is that what we do in PR&C? Wait, no. i've got it all wrong. that's multiple mummies in their fancy coffins. DRAT!


I can drink WLW and GTS neat. Sometimes its a lot of fun. interestingly my wife prefers her GTS neat.

[TNbourbon]

That is a really interesting combination, how did you ever come up with that
Experimentation.

[unclebunk]

I can drink WLW and GTS neat. Sometimes its a lot of fun. interestingly my wife prefers her GTS neat.

Dat's how I likes my womens. When they can drink straight from the barrel, you know you've latched on to a keeper!:lol:

[ErichPryde]

Dat's how I likes my womens. When they can drink straight from the barrel, you know you've latched on to a keeper!:lol:

Interestingly I think of the stagg as her bourbon now, because it is a "fun" bourbon but I just don't reach for it very often. Some of the bottles in there I've categorized as "hers" (including a R&E #1). She has excellent taste and an excellent palate.

[unclebunk]

Interestingly I think of the stagg as her bourbon now, because it is a "fun" bourbon but I just don't reach for it very often. Some of the bottles in there I've categorized as "hers" (including a R&E #1). She has excellent taste and an excellent palate.

Well, you're further ahead than me in getting the wife into bourbon. I've had no luck whatsoever. She didn't even like the WT Honey that I bought to introduce her to the spirit. (She likes sweet drinks, so I thought that'd work for sure.) But then she's English and doesn't drink beer, so there's not much hope for her.:grin:

[barturtle]

Dat's how I likes my womens. When they can drink straight from the barrel, you know you've latched on to a keeper!:lol:

If you think that's good, try finding one that will taste white dog and say, "Damn that's good!"

[smokinjoe]

If you think that's good, try finding one that will taste white dog and say, "Damn that's good!"

Miranda Lambert comes to mind. :yum:

[unclebunk]

If you think that's good, try finding one that will taste white dog and say, "Damn that's good!"

Yeah, I don't know. That conjures up images of Popcorn Sutton with breasts! (Insert sound of man shuddering.):lol:

[BBQ+Bourbon]

Yeah, I don't know. That conjures up images of Popcorn Sutton with breasts! (Insert sound of man shuddering.):lol:
You just had to ruin it, didn't you?

[The Boozer]

Had a glass of WLW last nighjt, first neat and then added a little water. The water opened up the flavors nicely but the extra air time (about 20 min) really helped.

[Lost Pollito]

I drink both the Weller, and the Stagg straight. The Weller is a bit spicey to me this year, but I think that's why I liked it a little better this go around.

[B.B. Babington]

When I drink WLW or GTS I drink it neat but take incredibly very small sips. ...

That's how I prefer them, small sips neat. And I do NOT let them air. I'll pour a little then sip it. I'll cover with a watch glass if it's going to sit in the glass for any length of time.

[callmeox]

I pour them directly into my eyes and if my expression shows even the slightest grimace, I lop off one finger at the first knuckle.

[chefnash51]

I usually take my first pour with a sprinkle of filtered water.. subsequent pours are usually neat. mmm mmm!

[squire]

I reduced mine with water to round off the edges.

[Parkersback]

I guess I could have put this in the "BTAC 2010, BOTM" thread, but this one might even be more appropriate.

I finally cracked my WLW BTAC 2010 bottle. The first two pours I drank the beginnings of neat, then added drops of water. I found it to be very good, sweet and powerful, though a bit hot, maybe.

My pour today was sublime, though: I poured about 1oz of the WLW, then added about .75 oz of Weller 12.

Really, really nice.

And yet another reason to love Weller 12: it's awesome on its own, and it;s a great way to cut WLW.

[MarkEdwards]

I pour them directly into my eyes and if my expression shows even the slightest grimace, I lop off one finger at the first knuckle.

What a wimp! :cool:

[MarkEdwards]

I don't know how people here can drink WLW or GTS neat without completely destroying their esophaguses (esophagi?). What I do is let it rest for a while, 20-30 mins, then add some filtered or distilled water to taste. For me, the burn overwhelms the rest of the flavors neat.

When I first tried Bookers. I found it very hot, and expected the same first time I tried GTS. But I found the GTS to be unbelievably smooth and drinkable neat.

I plan to crack open the WLW tonight and see how it compares.

[SMOWK]

I find the 2010 to be great in every way. Always neat. Always.

[HP12]

Neat, with time to savor and enjoy.

[dmarkle]

I definitely take my WLW with water. Wheaters at a really high proof tend to lose their wonderful finish for me. I like mine at 100-110 proof, max.

The Stagg is amazing though. That stuff I drink neat, every time. I tried it with water once, and all sorts of barrel notes I didn't like popped out and it suddenly tasted older and almost musty.

[Pirate762]

I have tried both the GTS and WLW with a little water or a small ice cube. I didnt like them that way nearly as much as I like them neat. Now I drink them neat and take my time to enjoy them. They are both outstanding in my opinion.

[WsmataU]

I tend to favor the wheaters but I've also found that my favorites are at 100 proof or less. I usually add a couple cubes to a glass and come back to it in 15-20 mins.

[MissinER101]

I too have found a little time helps open up the higher octane whiskeys, I also find I can speed up the process by pouring into a Pyrex measuring cup from 8-12 inches, then into the Glencairen from 6 inches or so. Letting it splash around a little seems to take a tad of the heat away.

As to the Weller...I love it straight from the bottle as is, I find it too drinkable.

[wripvanwrinkle]

I followed up on Parkersback's suggestion above by mixing 3 parts WLW to 1 part Weller 12 (and a splash of water.)

The result is fantastic.

[Parkersback]

I followed up on Parkersback's suggestion above by mixing 3 parts WLW to 1 part Weller 12 (and a splash of water.)

The result is fantastic.

I think your proportions sound better than mine, actually.

[MarkEdwards]

Finally cracked open my WLW last night. It was good, and not very hot. I found it to be 'heavy', for lack of a better word. Or maybe 'chewy'.

[BourbonKiller]

I take my WLW any way I can get it. :rolleyes: After all, I am the Weller whore of SB. :lol: ... Joe
QFT

I like to drink my William Larue Weller neat in a fresh glass. I first tried it neat, then with some ice chips, next a splash of water and finally with a splash of soda water. I found drinking it neat to be the best for me. I did find that sampling it all four ways helped my palate unlayer all of the various flavor notes hidden in this gem.

[SMOWK]

Had another pour of this last night, neat. The best Weller I've tried to date.

[RegChumpington]

Neat for sure. It was more or less perfection. And then, to my surprise, I found another bottle last week.

I like the Stagg but the Weller was way into special territory for me, and I don't have a strong preference for wheaters. I like 'em, but I also like rye-heavy and straight rye...

[ebo]

I drink everything neat. I've played around with water and ice, and I still do occasionally. But I've yet to find anything that I enjoyed more with water, than without.
Same here. I almost never add water to anything. I also don't care for my whisk(e)y being chilled, so, ice is out. Once in a great while when nothing seems to taste right, I'll try a little water to see if it helps. If it doesn't, it just wasn't supposed to be an evening for whisk(e)y. :lol:

[RyanL]

I add a very small amount of room temp bottled water. I find it doesnt change the taste profile all that much and it takes away a bit of the burn(which isn't a ton but enough I enjoy it a little less).

Slightly off topic from WLW but I don't know how the GTS neat drinkers do it. It numbs my tongue to the point I can't taste one of my favorite bourbons ever very well after a few sips. Guess everyone's taste buds are different.

[MarkEdwards]

Slightly off topic from WLW but I don't know how the GTS neat drinkers do it. It numbs my tongue to the point I can't taste one of my favorite bourbons ever very well after a few sips. Guess everyone's taste buds are different.

It only numbs the WEAK taste buds. :rolleyes:

[BourbonKiller]

Speaking of GTS... Saw this post in one of the taste tests done on 5-28-2010.

This looks like an interesting way to make your Stagg less toxic and last longer as well as be pretty tasty according to the panel:

Ron’s Four Grain, 1/3 GTStagg 141.2 Proof, 1/3 Makers Mark, 1/3 Evan Williams 1783. The four grain is 106 Proof

Is there a thread that discusses Ron's Four Grain?

[BradleyC]

If you are going to add water to WLW, why not just buy Weller 12? Same result and a lot cheaper?

[WsmataU]

It's easier for me to find BTAC WLW than welled 12.

[RyanL]

If you are going to add water to WLW, why not just buy Weller 12? Same result and a lot cheaper?

I am still drinking it at somewhere between 110-115 proof. It just takes a bit of the burn off for me.

[wripvanwrinkle]

If you are going to add water to WLW, why not just buy Weller 12? Same result and a lot cheaper?

I don't know. To me they are 2 completely different profiles. For me the Weller 12 is more Plum, Cola, and Clove. The WLW is more Prune, Caramel, and subtle baking spice.

Once my pallete settles down (too much THH goodness tonight...) I'm going to give the W12 and WLW a blind taste at the same proof.

[nivto]

If you are going to add water to WLW, why not just buy Weller 12? Same result and a lot cheaper?

I like to add some water to my WLW because I think it clears some heat away from the thick caramel corn that I love so much, but if I had to guess it's still being sipped at around 115 proof. I don't think Weller 12 even comes close to offering the thick and rich flavors of WLW.

[Brisko]

I don't know. To me they are 2 completely different profiles. For me the Weller 12 is more Plum, Cola, and Clove. The WLW is more Prune, Caramel, and subtle baking spice.

Once my pallete settles down (too much THH goodness tonight...) I'm going to give the W12 and WLW a blind taste at the same proof.

I agree. Plus, I'm pretty sure the barrel selection is a teensy bit more discriminating for the WLW.

I drink it with a splash of water-- probably in the 110 to 115 proof range. It doesn't need much, that's for sure.