Mid-level wheaters

[clingman71]

I am a fan of wheaters. Most of my experience is with various VW products and some Weller. I am not a fan of Maker's. I do like the 46, but feel it is overpriced compared to other bourbons. It would be nice to be able to drink Pappy, JPS, etc everyday, but not realistic.

How does the current Weller 12 compare to the current Old Fitz 12?

OWA vs OFBIB?

Any wheaters in the $20-25 range that I'm missing?

[OscarV]

In that price range I'd go with the OWA.

The Weller 12 just seems to be lacking to much for me.

I suppose you could do a vatting of Weller 12 and OWA, let's say 2 parts OWA & 1 part WLW 12, might work.

But I think it is well worth it to lay down an extra 15 bucks and get an ORVW 10/107.

[SMOWK]

But I think it is well worth it to lay down an extra 15 bucks and get an ORVW 10/107.

Daaaaaamn Riiiiiight. Given the choice, I would take the ORVW 107 every time.

[StraightNoChaser]

I tried Rebel Reserve the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Mighty good whiskey for $20 or less

[clingman71]

I agree about the ORVW 10/107, but the various Wellers and Old Fitz are almost always available. I wish I could say the same for the VW.

I've never had the OF12, would like to try it, but am hesitant to buy a bottle.

[hectic1]

The current Old Fitz 12 is HH stuff...definitely not the same bourbon that was bottled when it was part of the BHC collection. For wheaters I tend to agree with Oscar that a good vatting would be 2-1 OWA/Weller 12. The ORVW 10/107 is good but I'm skeptical that BT will be able to keep up their quality as their supply goes down. It has been mentioned by BT that their wheated bourbon supply is low and certain labels may become limited in the future.

[Enoch]

I tried Rebel Reserve the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Mighty good whiskey for $20 or less

I've had Rebel Yell and didn't care much for it and never tried the reserve. How do they compare?

[Young Blacksmith]

I popped the top on a handle of Weller 12 the other day, that is the smoothest, easiest to drink of the Weller products in my opinion. The OWA is really good too, I think the proof helps with the balance of sweet and heat. SR is just OK in my eyes.

Have not had the opportunity to taste ORVW. I don't think it makes it out here very often, and when it does I think it's snatched up quickly.

[bad_scientist]

Which one is more complex to you? Complex isn't always good if it's imbalanced, but I would like to get one of the two (the 12 or the OWA) and I want something that I won't get bored of.

I popped the top on a handle of Weller 12 the other day, that is the smoothest, easiest to drink of the Weller products in my opinion. The OWA is really good too, I think the proof helps with the balance of sweet and heat. SR is just OK in my eyes.

Have not had the opportunity to taste ORVW. I don't think it makes it out here very often, and when it does I think it's snatched up quickly.

[White Dog]

I am a fan of wheaters. Most of my experience is with various VW products and some Weller. I am not a fan of Maker's. I do like the 46, but feel it is overpriced compared to other bourbons. It would be nice to be able to drink Pappy, JPS, etc everyday, but not realistic.

How does the current Weller 12 compare to the current Old Fitz 12?

OWA vs OFBIB?

Any wheaters in the $20-25 range that I'm missing?

I feel that all current Old Fitz sucks. And while I do love Old Rip, it's not always around. (Yes, Parker's 2010 was amazing, but come on HH, give me something I can have on a regular basis.)

I enjoy all Weller releases, in different ways, and on different occasions. I do like Weller 12, but I recommend opening a bottle, pour yourself a drink, and then forget the bottle for about a month. It makes a world of difference. OWA and SR are standard pours for me.

[StraightNoChaser]

I've had Rebel Yell and didn't care much for it and never tried the reserve. How do they compare?

We got to try them back to back. It was night and day. The Yell is quite watery with little flavor, the Reserve is bold and actually tastes good

[MissinER101]

I have never been able to get the Old Rip on a regular bases, so my daily pour of late has been the Weller Antique. I did buy a bottle of the WL Weller Special Reserve for some bourbon marinade because it was a bit cheaper than the Antique; and naturally poured a dab in the cook too. I found it to be a very pleasant drink, perhaps a bit sweeter with a little more vanilla than the Antique and went great with the Cuban Cohiba maduro I smoked while the roast was marinading.

[dohidied]

I'll take any current Weller over OF, I found OFBIB to be very bland and had to use it as a mixer to finish it.

After reading this thread, I'm enjoying a 1:1 vatting of OWA107 and W12. Very nice pour. OWA tends to be too hot for me sometimes and W12 is nice, but low proof. Vatting these gives me near that 100 proof sweet spot and comes out very balanced and sweet.

[WsmataU]

I've had most of what's available and I really like OWSR for a regular pour. A friend of mine brought a bottle over and apologized because he knows I'm a bourbon snob, but he was happy to see how much I enjoy it. It is just a smooth pour every time. It gets extra points in my book for being relatively inexpensive and easy to find. I haven't opened my Weller 12 yet, and I imagine I'll enjoy that even more.

I find I don't like the ORVW 10/107 as much as the Weller and certainly no where near as much as Pappy 15 (all three are open on my bar, plus BTAC WLW). Don't get me wrong, I LIKE it, but hear me out: If it is a special occassion, I go for the Pappy 15. If it is just a nice drink I go for the Weller. The ORVW fits in there somewhere in between, but I just don't reach for it as frequently.

That said, I'm not as fond of the high proof whiskeys some members here prefer. I do tend to cut them down between 90-100 pf.

[Young Blacksmith]

You asked about complexity. OWA to me is more complex, coming close to a standard rye whiskey on the "burn". But the flavors in 12 are a little more balanced.

I reach for the Weller 12 more than the OWA though, just my preference.

[DeanSheen]

You asked about complexity. OWA to me is more complex, coming close to a standard rye whiskey on the "burn". But the flavors in 12 are a little more balanced.

I reach for the Weller 12 more than the OWA though, just my preference.

I like them both as well but prefer the proof of OWA. It's pretty much become my go to pour.

The 12 can be fantastic and I like that a lot too but faced with a case purchase decision I have to go with OWA.

[T Comp]

I like them both as well but prefer the proof of OWA. It's pretty much become my go to pour.

Same here...a man of good taste that Robert is:grin: .

[DeanSheen]

Same here...a man of good taste that Robert is:grin: .

A true compliment indeed from a man with a palette such as yours.............

Mr. BTOTY 2011! :bowdown:

[thezenone]

Maybe I'm crazy but I don't like the Weller 12 that much. I think the reserve is pretty good, so I was excited about the 12 and when I finally had some I was disappointed. To me it's showing too much wood. I'll have to revisit it now that it's been open a good while. My order of preference:

OWA

OWSR

OW12

[PaulO]

...

How does the current Weller 12 compare to the current Old Fitz 12?

OWA vs OFBIB?

Any wheaters in the $20-25 range that I'm missing?

[Happyhour24x7]

Which one is more complex to you? Complex isn't always good if it's imbalanced, but I would like to get one of the two (the 12 or the OWA) and I want something that I won't get bored of.

I preferred the 12 over the antique, personally. Either is a good purchase, both is better; but if I had to choose one that's the way I'd go.

[unclebunk]

I preferred the 12 over the antique, personally. Either is a good purchase, both is better; but if I had to choose one that's the way I'd go.

I agree. Though as you said, they're both excellent and should be judged on their own merits.

[fishnbowljoe]

As most of you know, I love wheaters, especially Weller. My general rule of thumb:

No brainer-in other words, when I want a pour I don't have to think about=Weller SR

Something a little nice- When I want something with a little more flavor and complexity=Weller 12

A little extra-For those days when I want a pour with just a little more kick=OWA

Like I said, just a general rule of thumb. Cheers! Joe

[unclebunk]

As most of you know, I love wheaters, especially Weller. My general rule of thumb:

No brainer-in other words, when I want a pour I don't have to think about=Weller SR

Something a little nice- When I want something with a little more flavor and complexity=Weller 12

A little extra-For those days when I want a pour with just a little more kick=OWA

Like I said, just a general rule of thumb. Cheers! Joe

Good rules, Joe. I'm with you on them!