Weller 12 vs. MMCS

[weller_tex]

I guess thanks to the Pappy craze and the fact that you non-Texans have been able to get our Weller 12 ...I was FINALLY able to buy Weller 12 for the first time since October 2014. I did a side by side of MMCS (Batch 14-06) and Weller 12 (no codes that I can read but purchased 3/2/2015 after shelf was empty for months).

After drinking MMCS for a few months, Weller 12 was a disappointment. I don't think it is just the ~23 proof difference. Weller 12 is very good with brown sugar, butterscotch, and wood spice with no burn. However MMCS at 6-7 years was tremendously more complex with butterscotch, cinnamon, vanilla, cherries, a lemony citrus note, and a huge amount of wood that balances everything perfectly.

Certainly Weller 12 at $25 for 750ml is a better bargain, but availability is an issue. So far MMCS continues to be available. After having MMCS I have to say that Weller 12 is a disappointment...never thought I would say that.

[dcbt]

Uh-oh, will mmcs_tex show up here instead soon? I'll have to do a SBS soon but I have also been drinking mmcs a lot more than W12 recently. A lot more.

[Ravensfire]

Since both are basically unavailable in my area, it's just wishful thinking on my part!

That's a tough all though. At least for the bottle that I've got, I like MMCS better than W12, neat. I have not tried swapping in MMCS for the CB blend though (and given the price differential, probably won't). There's just more to MMCS for me that W12. You said disappointment, I felt that W12 was just a bit more bland than MMCS, side-by-side. I still preferred the SB blend to both though.

[flahute]

If I've been drinking a lot barrel proof bourbons or ones in the 107 proof plus range, going to Weller 12 can be a bit underwhelming due to it tasting thin.

If I've been drinking a lot of 90-96 proof bourbons in the lead up to Weller 12, it's a much different story. The W12 is fuller, richer, and more complete.

[PaulO]

Now we just need to do a side by side comparing an age stated 12 year old 90 proof MM and a no age stated barrel strength Weller. Sign me up for that.

[The Black Tot]

I'm looking forward to trying MMCS when they release a 750 later this year. Provided it isn't exactly double the price.

[dcbt]

I wonder why they chose to release only 375s to start with... It is kind of annoying to feel the need to buy two every time to get a full bottle.

[SBOmarc]

I have a recent Weller 12 and a unopened MMCS. I will try this side by side and let you know. I can say that this Weller 12 has been a letdown from what I recall prior to it becoming the Pappy substitute and virtually impossible to find.

[Ishad]

Seems like OWA would be a better side by side competitor to MMCS.

On another note seeing Weller 12 in the glass case in Texas makes me sad.

[weller_tex]

Seems like OWA would be a better side by side competitor to MMCS.

On another note seeing Weller 12 in the glass case in Texas makes me sad.

Man, in the glass case? I haven't seen that in Houston..yet.

[TXNewDude]

Just picked up my first Weller 12. I can't decide if it's good enough to stock up. AND just $19.99

Base similarities to big brother WLW

[weller_tex]

Seems like OWA would be a better side by side competitor to MMCS.

On another note seeing Weller 12 in the glass case in Texas makes me sad.

I can't stand the new, younger OWA...

[weller_tex]

Uh-oh, will mmcs_tex show up here instead soon? I'll have to do a SBS soon but I have also been drinking mmcs a lot more than W12 recently. A lot more.

LOL, Well, I have been thinking about a change. BT isn't on my like list with the VOB 6 shenanigans, the way WSR and OWA have dropped so much in quality (much younger) since they became NAS. Weller 12 was what kept me hanging on...now with BT even giving Texas a Weller drought...might be the last straw.

[flahute]

I can't stand the new, younger OWA...

I just opened a bottle of OWA from the recent release and it's better than my ORVW10. I can't believe I'm typing it, but it's true. I'm going to revisit it to verify to make sure it wasn't the result of an odd night, but that's my current story.

[greens]

I've never cared for the 12 myself. The Antique is far more tasty.

[greens]

I can't stand the new, younger OWA...

I haven't had a chance to try the new OWA yet. I went around North Houston and Conroe about a year ago and bought out the rest of the old stock. I have 12 handles stored in my closet. Probably won't need to buy any more for the next two years or so.

Edited March 4, 2015 by greens
forgot to quote

[DonutsNBourbon]

man, I had a bottle of OWA from last year and didn't like it, and with you guys saying the newer OWA bottles were better, I bought one yesterday and it still tastes the same to me. spicy and hot and not as good as W12 to me. maybe my palate isn't as advanced...

[Ishad]

Man, in the glass case? I haven't seen that in Houston..yet.

Indeed, with slightly higher prices for larger sizes too. ($50 for a 1.75), Crown Royal Apple was limit two per customer, but Highwest MWND was just hanging out on the shelves.

Strange times...

[smokinjoe]

maybe my palate isn't as advanced...

Hogwash! You just don't like the OWA as well as the W12. You don't need to have an "advanced palate" (I hear that term a lot, along with "discerning palate", and think the whole concept is a bunch of pretentious hooey, BTW) to determine what it is you like and dislike. You're fine!

[DonutsNBourbon]

Hogwash! You just don't like the OWA as well as the W12. You don't need to have an "advanced palate" (I hear that term a lot, along with "discerning palate", and think the whole concept is a bunch of pretentious hooey, BTW) to determine what it is you like and dislike. You're fine!

haha... thanks! I noticed that most of the praise I see on these forums are for OGD114 and OWA, quite the spicier/hotter bourbons. my likes are more along the lines of a sweeter and less spicy bourbon like W12, ETL or ER.

[smknjoe]

Just picked up my first Weller 12. I can't decide if it's good enough to stock up. AND just $19.99

Base similarities to big brother WLW

It's not. It's the most overrated bourbon out there besides PVW. Speaking of PVW...why is this in the "premium" thread? These are standard pours we are talking about.

[TXNewDude]

For you experienced folks, throughout the years, would you say most prefer Weller12 over Antique?

My store has both on the shelves and I'm wondering if I should pick up the Antique as I think 12 is just ok so far (i'm trying to give it several tastings).

[smknjoe]

For you experienced folks, throughout the years, would you say most prefer Weller12 over Antique?

Only you can answer the question of what you prefer. They are both close to $20 a bottle. Try them both as soon as you can because stock has been iffy for a while around here; and go from there. I much prefer OWA over W12. I also don't have a bottle of either post 2012.

[EvergladeSlim]

This thread just gave me the idea to vat the two together. It certainly improved the W12, but it may have been a bit of a waste of MMCS. In the future I'll just stick to the SB blend when I'm in the mood for this sort of thing.

[weller_tex]

It's not. It's the most overrated bourbon out there besides PVW. Speaking of PVW...why is this in the "premium" thread? These are standard pours we are talking about.

Sorry fellow Houstonian, I thought MMCS was a premium...