Let down by Weller Special Reserve

[Phil T]

I have been drinking WSR quite a bit over the last 2 years, as it has been the only Weller I've seen on the shelves. I think it is a darn solid bourbon and a steal at $30.99 for the family size.

[mosugoji64]

I'm sitting outside with a glass of WSR while grilling dinner. Picked it specifically because of this thread. This is an older age-stated bottle so not sure how it compares to what's out there now but it's fine whiskey. Not the most complex, but perfectly enjoyable as a casual pour. WSR has always been like liquid candy for me and I like it quite a bit. If I had to choose I'd take OWA over it but wouldn't complain one bit if this was all I could get.

[Paddy]

I realize we are in a boom, but one must really see the humor in this thread. This was always a bottom shelf/call pour until the Pappy Craze started and (as stated above) is the lessor of the 4 Weller lines. It's crazy to admit, but I've never purchased a bottle of WSR.

I do admit, if I saw one now, I would buy a dusty age stated bottle ('cause it's probably gonna better than the current OWA and/or W12).

[Sluggo]

WSR is one of my favorite every day pours. At $18.99 a bottle I can't think of any wheater in that price range that I like better. I like Weller 12 and OWA but being much harder to find I tend to save them for special occasions.

[flahute]

I realize we are in a boom, but one must really see the humor in this thread. This was always a bottom shelf/call pour until the Pappy Craze started and (as stated above) is the lessor of the 4 Weller lines. It's crazy to admit, but I've never purchased a bottle of WSR.

I do admit, if I saw one now, I would buy a dusty age stated bottle ('cause it's probably gonna better than the current OWA and/or W12).

I'm thinking the same thing. WSR was never meant to be great or special. I have also never purchased a bottle. I have recently even passed on buying a bottle with multiples on the shelf if I wanted them. I tasted an older age stated version last year and thought it was pretty good but not worth getting excited over so I have no interest in the current non age stated version given the number of OWA's and Weller 12's in my bunker.

[Tony Santana]

I thought this one was quite boring. Would drink Makers or Larceny (which I can't get here, but have a bottle from travels) before WSR. Don't see it on the shelf around here lately anyway. I do have one bottle in reserve, so will have to give it a try again one of these days, but my last one was so unimpressive I ended up vatting it with Bulleit - a vatting that was better than either of its individual parts.

[-icon-]

Meh.

I'm a Weller 12 guy for a daily pour, and this (obviously) just isn't there. I can find SR all day on the shelves, but I just don't really enjoy it.

For me, it's worth the time/effort to work swaps with folks who have easy access to W12 to keep my bunker stocked.

[kcgumbohead]

This was my first foray into Weller land but after the age statement was dropped. I found it thin, hot and harsh. WSR is fine mixer,cooking bourbon or something to have on hand if someone wants to know what all this bourbon excitement is about but will only taste it mixed with soda.

I paid 9.99 and wouldn't care to pay a penny over but it has since proven itself as a valuable pour for the following reason.

Several friends uninitiated to bourbon were earnest about trying it, I would serve up WSR and follow it with W12. The W12 always came out on top and was accompanied with widened eyes and the "I get it" look.

WSR in that context shows what a too young bourbon tastes like and the burn that is booziness vs spice since the rye is absent. I next have them taste a rye recipe bourbon so they experience the difference between rye spice and young boozy heat. I really like the WSR for this reason and have used it to introduce several friends to bourbon.

A love/hate thing for me, as a neat pour, no thanks but as a gateway entry bourbon, perfect.

[dcbt]

I guess I'm fortunate in that I've never even considered buying this since Weller 12 is usually right there next to it...

[O'DubhGhaill]

Just passed on a 1.75L handle of this for $59.99. Although I am not a huge wheater fan, Weller 12 is tasty. If I have it fine, if I don't, I always have EC12.

[weller_tex]

Buffalo Trace WSR when it was truly a 7 year old, pre 2009, was good stuff. Now it is swill IMHO. Harsh, just bad. OWA is brown sugar and alcohol to me these days, but I do think it is slightly older than WSR. Weller 12 is still great, but even finding it in Texas, what used to be the land of flowing rivers of Weller 12, is hit and miss.

[Flyfish]

Just passed on a 1.75L handle of this for $59.99. Although I am not a huge wheater fan' date=' Weller 12 is tasty. If I have it fine, if I don't, I always have EC12.[/quote']

As you should have! That's double what it should go for. And you're also right about the EC12.

[Quantum]

I realize we are in a boom, but one must really see the humor in this thread. This was always a bottom shelf/call pour until the Pappy Craze started and (as stated above) is the lessor of the 4 Weller lines. It's crazy to admit, but I've never purchased a bottle of WSR.

I do admit, if I saw one now, I would buy a dusty age stated bottle ('cause it's probably gonna better than the current OWA and/or W12).

But is says "Special Reserve" right on the label!

The age stated bottles as recent as 2009 were not amazing, but they were solidly enjoyable. I will echo weller_tex on the current stuff. I find it thin, bland, and just incomplete.

I would rather buy vodka and let the Weller age a few more years.