W.L. Weller Special Reserve - 375ml

[TL2000]

I just picked up two flask style bottles of WLW Special Reserve from my local store and they said something about it being an old bourbon that was just released out to the stores. It is a 7 y/o 90 proof bottle with a green cap and a white label. The label definitely could be aged from the 90s and I can read the following numbers off that back that are printed on the outside of the bottle.

X119X (I think the first X is a 2 and the second is a 9, but I can't be sure.)

0774

The X's denote where the number has rubbed off and I can't read it.

Anyone know anything about this whiskey? My store was telling people that it is old SW juice that was bottled in the 90s.

Thanks and happy thanksgiving.

[JVande]

Does it say Louisville or Frankfort on the front label? If Louisville, then yes probably S-W. If Frankfort, doubtful.

[mbroo5880i]

Just curious, what store did you buy it at? PM me if you don't want to publicly disclose.

I ask because I recently bought a couple of similar bottles. My bottles have SWD on the bottom of the front label and indicate they were distilled in Louisville. The store where I bought them thought they had been bottled in 1999 which would have put distillation at 1992 or slightly earlier since they are 7 year age stated WSR.

[TL2000]

Does it say Louisville or Frankfort on the front label? If Louisville, then yes probably S-W. If Frankfort, doubtful.

I says Louisville on the label and judging by how the label looks I think it is reasonable to say that it is from 99.

[TL2000]

and also says COPYR. 1941 - SWD INC in the bottom right.

[smknjoe]

That label was used until 2009-ish when OWA and WSR both got makeovers. Jvande's statement is accurate.

[Eskwar]

Concur w/ Joe and Vande. (Same holds true as to mbroo's finds, I'd say, w/ the supporting evidence for him of that nice 88076 UPC.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AaronWF]

I understand a distributor in IN found a few cases of this stuff, from '99. It was from a transitional period for the brand and likely contains some S-W as well as juice from other distilleries. Who knows though. How's it taste?

[mbroo5880i]

I understand a distributor in IN found a few cases of this stuff, from '99. It was from a transitional period for the brand and likely contains some S-W as well as juice from other distilleries. Who knows though. How's it taste?

It smelled like a magic marker when I first opened it. I let it sit for about 45 minutes and then checked it again and it smelled like butterscotch and toffee, very appealing. I did a tasting SBS with WL12 and OWA, the latter two are recent versions. It was a little hotter than I expected for 90 proof but matched up well with the WL12. The next day, I checked again and it had an even stronger butterscotch and toffee smell. The taste improved as well. It has a thick, oily feel with a butterscotch and toffee taste. I like it.

[smknjoe]

It has a thick, oily feel with a butterscotch and toffee taste. I like it.

Sounds like it has some S-W in there to me. Enjoy.

Edit: I hope you guys are paying the same price as you would for the current stuff, or very close to it. It's not worth much of a premium to me.

Edited November 28, 2013 by smknjoe

[mbroo5880i]

Yeah, there wasn't much of a mark up, if any. $7.99 a bottle or something close.

[michaelturtle1]

That is awesome that the store was selling them for $7.99 I am glad there are a few honorable stores that did not completely rape their customers for these bottles.. I have had a few Louisville WSRs from '99 and they are a bit different then the earlier ones but still a fantastic pour..

[bingstein]

That is awesome that the store was selling them for $7.99 I am glad there are a few honorable stores that did not completely rape their customers for these bottles.. I have had a few Louisville WSRs from '99 and they are a bit different then the earlier ones but still a fantastic pour..

[oke&coke]

Amen. Another store in Indiana got a case in and gathered some information from another site. I received a message that I could come get 2 of them for $50 each. When I asked what their cost was I received no further response.

[MacinJosh]

Nose: Lovely melted caramel and lots of it. Very sweet. Confection sugar with a buttered corn on the cob note. Classic Weller nose. So soft, sweet, and creamy. I'm really digging this nose!

Palate: Soft, silky entry with a sweet, vanilla presence. A little bit of toasted oak comes into play but it's well backgrounded as the sweet, creamy, buttery notes remain forward. Velvety in texture it really coats the palate, quite oily even at 90 proof. Not overly complex here. It's sweet and it's creamy, kind of a two-trick pony you could say, but those are two notes I really enjoy and this pour doesn't disappoint. Termites need not apply here as the wood is really kept in check and adds just a hint of depth and layers. Again, this one stays sweet all throughout from start to finish, not much change taking place. Soft notes of buttered popcorn on exit! Excellent!

Finish: Sweet and sugary. A hint of apples and creamed corn. Moderate in length and leaves you thirsty for another sip.

Rating: Wow, this one is mighty tasty boys. For a 7yr, 90 proofer, this is a slam dunk. Is it Stitzel-Weller? Who knows, but it certainly shows some SW qualities. Creamy, buttery, and very sweet. Everything you'd expect in a classic Weller but a little watered down and thinner. I'm really enjoying this pour. So easy to drink....this 375 bottle won't last long. What a great pour. I'm scoring this one a 90 but I have a feeling if it were done blind it would be higher. I'll miss this one when it's all gone.

[gblick]

There should be a 2-digit number molded into the glass on the bottom of the bottle, sometimes it's very faint and hard to see. That should give you a good estimate of the year that it was bottled.