Weller 12 vs Old Rip Van winkle 10 90 prf?

[trumpstylz]

Does anyone have both bottles? Do you have a favorite (among the 90 proof versions)?

[Jonny.Applebury]

I opened both of these with a friend this past weekend during the NFL playoffs. We had only a passing interest in the games on Saturday, so we could give more attention to the bourbon. Of the two, we both liked the Old Rip Van Winkle 90 proof just a bit more than the Weller 12 year old.

[BourbonBaron]

I enjoy the Weller 12 more than the current bottle of ORVW 10/90 that I have open. There is this smoke flavor I get on the finish of the van Winkle that has mellowed out in the month or two the bottle has been opened, but it is still there, and I am not a fan, lol. I have another bottle that will get opened at some point but in my (limited) experience I prefer the Weller 12.

[Eth3rStrik3r]

The bottle of Weller 12 I had a couple of weeks ago was very good, while the ORVW does indeed taste a bit smoky, it also has quite an alcohol tinge to the smell as well, which I did not expect. I will probably let the ORVW sit a month or so and it will probably open up quite a bit.

[White Dog]

I find the Weller 12 to be a much mellower, and sweeter, style than ORVW90. Old Rip, in both proofs, tends to be one of the most aggressive wheaters I've come across, IMHO. Not that I'm complaining about either Weller 12 or Old Rip.

[pfiest]

While I enjoy both a great deal, I'd have to lean towards ORVW. It has that slight hint of cherries and dark fruit I don't get from the Weller 12.

[clingman71]

While I enjoy both a great deal, I'd have to lean towards ORVW. It has that slight hint of cherries and dark fruit I don't get from the Weller 12.

Agreed. I also get a little more spice in the Old Rip, its a little more bold vs mellow like the W12.

[WsmataU]

I have the ORVW 10/107 and the WLW12. I strongly prefer the Weller. As stated it is smoother and sweeter with more of a caramel/butterscotch flavor without the spice and alcohol of the ORVW, but mine isn't the 90 proof (I'll bring my own water to the table, thank you). Of course I'm unabashedly fond of the Weller products, so much so that I'd pick Weller Centennial over just about anything. PVW 20 is still my favorite, but I'll pay $100 for a WC over $200 for PVW20 any day of the week....and that is what we call " a good problem to have." :grin:

[tommyboy38]

I think it will depend on the bottling. Love the older Binny's Weller 12. I haven't been so crazy about most of the ORVW but that could change with the next batch of either.

[White Dog]

I think it will depend on the bottling. Love the older Binny's Weller 12. I haven't been so crazy about most of the ORVW but that could change with the next batch of either.

I found the last release(December 2011) of ORVW107 to be a big improvement over the last couple releases, IMHO.

[Clavius]

I'm not a huge fan of Weller 12. Atleast, not of the bottling I got of it. However I do remember loving Old Rip 90. In fact I may have to get another bottle of it as I know where some is hiding...

[tommyboy38]

I've heard the sme thing. I need to pick up a few.

[Restaurant man]

Hard pick. For me I like t dryness associated with the orvw. But who we kidding. It's hairsplitting. They both:drinking: Kickass