Current OWA

[weller_tex]

I have really been disappointed with the decline of WT products over the past 5 years, and over the past year have become disappointed with OWA (Weller 12 is still great). To me, the current OWA is nothing but sweet brown sugar and nothing else. Nowhere near the complexity it had back when it was truly a 7 year old product (not talking about SW whiskey..just the BT stuff). I am assuming it is being bottled at much less than 7 years now..hence the sweet but little complexity. Anyone else notice this?

[fricky]

I disagree. I thought that the first release of the NAS Old Weller Antique was exceptional. We had it in a blind tasting along with age-stated bottles and the new release was hands down favorite. Maybe later releases changed by using younger bourbon.

[weller_tex]

I thought the first release of the NAS was very good as well, however, as I say over the past year sure seems like the stuff is getting younger...thus possibly confirming the fears of what happens you go from age stated to NAS.

[Tico]

they did reduce the age of their OWA in the single barrel program which leads me to believe that the regular retail stuff has also gone the same route

[weller_tex]

They lost me as a customer of WSR and OWA. Let's hope that they don't kill off Weller 12.

[dohidied]

Man, I hope the 3 bottles of OWA I just bought aren't shite. I'll be sure to ease my way into my next SB blend.

[michang5]

Hmm... I just finished my second bottle of Weller 12, and was looking forward to trying the OWA — in particular to have a stronger Weller to mix in an Old Fashioned. The OWA is about $5 more than Weller 12. Should I stick with the 12? It is one of my favorites and a real value pour, too.

[bllygthrd]

WOW, and advantage to living in WV ... OWA 7YO is still in our pipeline <grin> ...

[smknjoe]

WOW, and advantage to living in WV ... OWA 7YO is still in our pipeline <grin> ...

...I might need to visit some friends in South Hills then...

Seriously though, I haven't had a bad bottle of the "current" stuff yet.

[Flyfish]

I'm still enjoying OWA by the handle. When just sipping, I recognize the WLW 12 is superior in some respects but when drinking, the OWA is just fine by me.

[Meruck]

Just have to say,

I opened a bottle of the OWO 107 today and it maybe the best bourbon I have. Thats saying a lot. No I didnt mean OWA, Original!!

The OWA 107 NAS is absolutly inferiour to the OWA 107 7 yr. Even if only in your mind. Your attitude and disposition are absolutly part of your pallet condition. The previously mentioned blind test is the only way to go

If your the administrator of a blind test try pouring the same whiskey in both glasses and see how they react. Its actually fun.....

[BigBoldBully]

My only bottle of OWA is an nas I bought a few months ago. It is easily the HOTTEST whiskey in my entire collection, which includes quite a few that are higher in proof. Even when I add copious h2o or mixers, the sharp alcohol bite is ludicrously prominent. And there is not much else going on flavorwise to justify it. Tried it diluted in a blind test that included WSR 7yr (old bottle shape), and the WSR was very rich and enjoyable in comparison.

[gblick]

I tried the NAS when it first came out and thought it was real good, but I haven't had a bottle of it for a good while.

I'm very sorry to hear that it's declining now.. :cry:

Edited April 26, 2013 by gblick

[black mamba]

Living in St. Louis area gives me access to the DSP-KY-16 DN1843 BIB, which I prefer to all the Wellers, excluding the BTAC WLW. The fact that I get 100 pf whiskey for $13 a fifth, or even $27 a handle, doesn't hurt. The last two bottles of VW Lot B and W12 which I had at the same time just last year were no comparison-- the Lot B was clearly superior.

[weller_tex]

...I might need to visit some friends in South Hills then...

Seriously though, I haven't had a bad bottle of the "current" stuff yet.

I would not say it is bad, it is very pleasant, but it is just so one-dimensional.

[Flyfish]

I would not say it is bad, it is very pleasant, but it is just so one-dimensional.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

[boneuphtoner]

I have really been disappointed with the decline of WT products over the past 5 years, and over the past year have become disappointed with OWA (Weller 12 is still great). To me, the current OWA is nothing but sweet brown sugar and nothing else. Nowhere near the complexity it had back when it was truly a 7 year old product (not talking about SW whiskey..just the BT stuff). I am assuming it is being bottled at much less than 7 years now..hence the sweet but little complexity. Anyone else notice this?

I've only been a bourbon enthusiast for a couple of years now. I haven't had any of the older OWA, but the current OWA doesn't do anything at all for me. I always thought I was alone in not being a fan of this stuff, and I see now that I'm not alone. Weller 12 is still awesome IMHO.

[ER07]

I still find OWA to be a great whiskey at a great price (~$20 around my parts)

[JPBoston]

I still find OWA to be a great whiskey at a great price (~$20 around my parts)

Agreed. I wasn't a bourbon enthusiast during the age stated days of OWA, so I don't have that comparison.... but the current juice is one of my favorites.

I do agree that it's a bit hotter (alcohol bite - wise) than it needs to be at 107 proof, but the sweetness and $19 price tag make it a great value pour, imo. ORVW 10/107 is older, more than twice as expensive, and hard to find/seasonal... but not all that much better (again, imo). And, for what it's worth, I find W12 to be far too thin for my palate.

[jeffrey r]

I always find it funny on forums, how the first post of the thread sets the tone for the rest of the thread. OWA is easily one of the most beloved bourbons on this site, and yet you would think it was bottom of the barrel (pun intended) if you just read this thread.

In any event, I don't mean to undermine or belittle anyone's opinion on OWA or any other bourbon for that matter. To each his own. And to be perfectly honest, I am so enamored of the SB blend, that I rarely drink OWA or W12 alone anymore. Such a smart mingling, to take the younger, higher proof, more robust bourbon, and mingle it with the older, oakier, lower proof, more mellow bourbon. It just works imho.

[weller_tex]

Agreed. I wasn't a bourbon enthusiast during the age stated days of OWA, so I don't have that comparison.... but the current juice is one of my favorites.

I do agree that it's a bit hotter (alcohol bite - wise) than it needs to be at 107 proof, but the sweetness and $19 price tag make it a great value pour, imo. ORVW 10/107 is older, more than twice as expensive, and hard to find/seasonal... but not all that much better (again, imo). And, for what it's worth, I find W12 to be far too thin for my palate.

Yeah I have given up on ORVW or PVW. There are far too many folks in Houston that rank higher on Spec's big spender list for me to get a bottle anymore...

I can see your point about W12 being thin, and the thicker mouthfeel of OWA is a good thing. To me though the complexity of the W12 wins out.

[weller_tex]

Yeah I have given up on ORVW or PVW. There are far too many folks in Houston that rank higher on Spec's big spender list for me to get a bottle anymore...

I can see your point about W12 being thin, and the thicker mouthfeel of OWA is a good thing. To me though the complexity of the W12 wins out.

I sure can't get OWA for $19 though. It is more expensive than Weller 12 down here..$26 for OWA vs. $23 for W12.

[justataste]

Here in Eastern OK the W12 and the OWA are about the same price. Around $21 per 750.

[JPBoston]

I always find it funny on forums, how the first post of the thread sets the tone for the rest of the thread. OWA is easily one of the most beloved bourbons on this site, and yet you would think it was bottom of the barrel (pun intended) if you just read this thread.

In any event, I don't mean to undermine or belittle anyone's opinion on OWA or any other bourbon for that matter. To each his own. And to be perfectly honest, I am so enamored of the SB blend, that I rarely drink OWA or W12 alone anymore. Such a smart mingling, to take the younger, higher proof, more robust bourbon, and mingle it with the older, oakier, lower proof, more mellow bourbon. It just works imho.

I was thinking the same thing about the tone vs OWA, but couldn't figure a way to say it without being more 'inflammatory'. Well done.

Also agree that the SB Blend is superior to either alone, for the exact reasons you stated.

Yeah I have given up on ORVW or PVW. There are far too many folks in Houston that rank higher on Spec's big spender list for me to get a bottle anymore...

I can see your point about W12 being thin, and the thicker mouthfeel of OWA is a good thing. To me though the complexity of the W12 wins out.

It would be cool if BT could produce a "Weller 10/107" (or 10/100 for that matter -- which would be an almost exact match to the SB Blend) to directly compete with ORVW at a fraction of the cost. If W12 can be had for ~$20 in most markets, I'm sure a 10/100 wouldn't be far from that mark.

[Brisko]

Yes, it would be nice if they brought back Weller Centennial.