Weller 12 vs. MMCS

[weller_tex]

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.

I am the opposite on this. Any OWA in the past 3 years I would pour down the drain, while Weller 12 is still good. OWA tastes like 4-5 years..brown sugar and alcohol.

[weller_tex]

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).

If this were pre-2009 when OWA and WSR were 7 years I would say OWA. However IMO since they became NAS (no age statement) BT seems to think 4 or 5 years is close enough to 7. I find both WSR and OWA close to undrinkable now...but as smknjoe says, you really need to try for yourself. Obviously he and I have vastly differing opinions.

[weller_tex]

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.

It is swill compared to the 7 year OWA. At this rate they will decide that 36 months is good enough in the near future.

[weller_tex]

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...

I sure wasn't saying any new OWA was better.any OWA since they went NAS has gone down hill..and continues to go down hill each year.

[mbroo5880i]

WL12 has stayed pretty consistent. I believe the general feeling is that once a brand goes NAS the quality and flavor diminish over time, presumably as younger whiskey is used in increasing proportions. Interestingly, my experience was a little different with OWA. I found the early NAS bottles to be hot with a strong alcohol finish. I really only enjoyed them as part of the SB Blend. I just couldn't drink them on their own. However, starting with the late Fall 2014 OWA release, I found it to be less hot and more of the typical Weller wheat finish. I have actually prefer it on its own with a small amount of water or cube of ice to drop it closer to 100 proof. I suppose there could other factors affecting my enjoyment (e.g., absence makes the heart grow fonder).

As far as personal tastes, I think donuts and bourbon cover two of major food groups with pizza being the other. So, DonutsNBourbon, your taste preferences are just fine!

[T Comp]

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.

Though I can't speak on the most recent OWA release, that's been my experience with some single barrel or micro batch picks of retailers or private groups in the last few years.

As to MMCS and OWA-they deliver equally tasty but slightly different tastes on the wheater scale. I'd call OWA more complex and MMCS more elegant. The difference should be experienced, if one can, but with MMCS at the, cheapest I've seen, $31 for 375ml compared to OWA at $25 for 750ml...you know what I'm buying more of :grin:.

[flahute]

I sure wasn't saying any new OWA was better.any OWA since they went NAS has gone down hill..and continues to go down hill each year.

Last year, I would have agreed with you (brown sugar and alcohol), now I strongly disagree. As I said above, my current OWA is fantastic and better than the ORVW10 from last year.

[DonutsNBourbon]

WL12 has stayed pretty consistent. I believe the general feeling is that once a brand goes NAS the quality and flavor diminish over time, presumably as younger whiskey is used in increasing proportions. Interestingly, my experience was a little different with OWA. I found the early NAS bottles to be hot with a strong alcohol finish. I really only enjoyed them as part of the SB Blend. I just couldn't drink them on their own. However, starting with the late Fall 2014 OWA release, I found it to be less hot and more of the typical Weller wheat finish. I have actually prefer it on its own with a small amount of water or cube of ice to drop it closer to 100 proof. I suppose there could other factors affecting my enjoyment (e.g., absence makes the heart grow fonder).

As far as personal tastes, I think donuts and bourbon cover two of major food groups with pizza being the other. So, DonutsNBourbon, your taste preferences are just fine!

[CorvallisCracker]

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

At $34.95 for the 375 of MMCS, here in Oregon it's definitely a premium!

[Wild1z]

I cannot get W12 up here in MN. I even almost paid 65.00 shipped X3 to try it from a guy on liquor list. It never panned out. Should I keep trying? IDK.. Anyway, I like OWA when I am in the mood for it. I mean, it's 107 proof and can be a bit hot on the finish, but when it's cold out, it's a good choice for me. I can see both sides of the tasting though. Just depends on what you are in the mood for.

[TXNewDude]

I cannot get W12 up here in MN. I even almost paid 65.00 shipped X3 to try it from a guy on liquor list. It never panned out. Should I keep trying? IDK.. Anyway, I like OWA when I am in the mood for it. I mean, it's 107 proof and can be a bit hot on the finish, but when it's cold out, it's a good choice for me. I can see both sides of the tasting though. Just depends on what you are in the mood for.

Really don't think you should try to hunt down W12 for more than the retail $20-$25. Plenty of other goodies out there to buy or hunt down for $60+!

[smknjoe]

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

I was more focused on the Weller 12. It seems like some people are trying to turn it into something it's not (it's barely a mid-shelfer). And jack up the price while they are at it.

[weller_tex]

I was more focused on the Weller 12. It seems like some people are trying to turn it into something it's not (it's barely a mid-shelfer). And jack up the price while they are at it.

You are right about that....

[greens]

Really don't think you should try to hunt down W12 for more than the retail $20-$25. Plenty of other goodies out there to buy or hunt down for $60+!

I completely agree with this. It's worth retail cost to try it but certainly not a premium price.

If I'm paying $60+ for anything it's going to be barrel proof.

[Wild1z]

Cool, thanks gents. I can spend that money on other things.

[BFerguson]

Cool, thanks gents. I can spend that money on other things.

Being in state myself, I get your frustration. Good call on holding off, for this one, I would agree it wouldn't be worth it.

But if you do come across it in travels, by all means, pick some up. That's what I do.

B

[fishnbowljoe]

Really don't think you should try to hunt down W12 for more than the retail $20-$25. Plenty of other goodies out there to buy or hunt down for $60+!

The price for Weller 12 around here hasn't been that low in a few years. It started slowly creeping up about 5 years ago. The best prices available now are low to mid 30's. Some places (gougers) are higher than that.

[BigBoldBully]

I am interested in comparing these two, but not if I have to pay ~ $70 per 750ml for the MMcs. Moot for me at the moment as I have yet to see MMcs, but sure am hoping they will release it in more reasonably priced normal sized bottles.

[The Black Tot]

Agree with others who say W12 isn't worth going nuts over. Having both to hand, I take OWA every time.

Should be making my first SB blend this spring, though. Looking forward to giving that a bash.

[Pjcowboy]

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.

Wow...glass case, Glad I am in Austin. Still in boxes at Spec's:),

[TXNewDude]

Weller 12 is actually pretty decent now that I've given it several tries. Still a <$30 option me thinks.

I noticed at Total Wine they started placing the 350ml MMCS in the small liquors area, right by regular Makers 350ml. Probably random stocking mistake.

[The Black Tot]

I noticed at Total Wine they started placing the 350ml MMCS in the small liquors area, right by regular Makers 350ml. Probably random stocking mistake.

That's where it belongs

[DonutsNBourbon]

this one store near me had OWA and W12 in the glass case... normal prices though, $27 for OWA and $31 for the W12... MMCS was at $40 tho, but not in the glass case. none of these should be behind any glass case!

[CaskStrength77]

Threads like these are great, as they highlight the vast differences in peoples' palettes. I not only love the W12 I bought recently, I find MMCS close to undrinkable.

I mean, W12 is horrible, Houston!! Leave it on shelves!!

[weller_tex]

Threads like these are great, as they highlight the vast differences in peoples' palettes. I not only love the W12 I bought recently, I find MMCS close to undrinkable.

I mean, W12 is horrible, Houston!! Leave it on shelves!!

I'll give Weller 12 another shot assuming it isn't gone already again. Possible I got a bad batch. The bottle I had wasn't bad, just not what it once was.