Weller Centennial & Weller 12

[NickAtMartinis]

What is the consensus here as to which is considered the better bourbon, Weller Centennial 10yo or Weller 12yo? Judging by price it must be the Centennial....but, I know price does not always dictate when it comes to bourbons. From reading past threads, the Centennial has quite a following for sure. However, I do recollect in recent memory hearing more than one strong positive on here for Weller 12. Anyhow, I could not resist the $19.99 price tag of W12 when I ran across one yesterday. For some reason, there just are not many of them around here - nor the Centennial for that matter.

I've never had the 12yo, unfortunately, but had the Centennial and Antique and I'd much rather save my money and drink some Antique. Actually, even if they were both the same price, I'd still choose the Antique.

[NickAtMartinis]

I am kind of thinking along your lines on this Timothy, I am not buying any Wellers that are not SW bourbon. I seem to be finding enough of the older SW wellers that I just out and out refuse to buy the newer stuff anytime soon. And I especially like it when I come across Liter bottles of the WL special reserve for only $17 - thats less than I find any of the newer 750ml bottles! :grin:

Nothing against BT, we all know they make great bourbon, but I have tasted enough to know that I'd rather buy and bunker all the SW prior to touching the newer stuff.

Don't you all like variety? Instead of this board being called straightbourbon.com we should just call it SW.com or Stitzel&Weller.com. I realize that SW is very good but geez there are so many other good bourbons available to us all today. Of course, most people seem to avoid the current bottlings like the plague, that is until they become near extinct and everyone will be driving to the ends of the Earth to find them.

My feeling is, we live in a great time for bourbon. Enjoy variety and what's currently out there. There's some damned fine bourbon to be had that currently being bottled.

VOL, I'm certainly not calling you out, I just needed to vent after reading your SW comments. I hope you don't take it personally.

[Rughi]

Instead of this board being called straightbourbon.com we should just call it SW.com or Stitzel&Weller.com...

Not all here worship at the altar of Stitzel Weller.

(For myself, I think they did a great job with their mashbill handicap, though )

It's not so surprising, though, that a thread titled "Weller Centennial & Weller 12" has a lot of SW talk.

As I've written often, day in and day out, I'll take ND Grand Dad and Taylor, but that's for another thread.

Roger

[barturtle]

Ohh no you don't

I know that trick.

You'll drink both and say that early results were inconclusive and further research is necessary.

Roger

PS - I'll join ya.

You know that no true study relies on only one sample, you need a wide number of bottles to prove empirically that one is better than the other. You would need at least three or more samples of each bottling to even think about reaching a conclusion. One of the earliest examples of each, the most recent example of each, as well as a randomly chosen sample of each. Plus you would need more than one bottle representing each of those samples just to make sure that the one bottle representing that era of the spirit wasn't a fluke (for good or bad).

As soon as these bottlings are collected, I'll be more than happy to administer and collect the results of a double blind study.

Send samples to me at:

Weller Bourbon Study

c/o Barturtle

The Swamp, LA

[Rughi]

You know that no true study relies on only one sample, you need a wide number of bottles to prove empirically that one is better than the other. You would need at least three or more samples of each bottling to even think about reaching a conclusion.

Hmmmmm....

what would that be like???

Roger

[barturtle]

Hmmmmm....

what would that be like???

Exactly! Send me those Weller 10s and 12s and that will get the study a firm base to start from.

Thanks, Roger. Any other donors?

[kpendle]

Hmmmmm....

what would that be like???

Roger

Roger,

I remember that night, “Wheaters (huh) What are they good for?.†Well we did a tasting of a couple of Centennials that night and also another night the same 2 bottles plus a third. We have not visited the Weller 12 as thoroughly but I am sure we will eventually. If I had to choose only one I easily will take the Centennial over the 12.

I will characterize that I drink the 12 yo standing up. While outside at the grill or smoker, watering the lawn, or cooking in the kitchen. A casual drink, enjoyable but not complex. The Centennial is a sit down drink for me. Usually in the evening. With dessert, or during wind down time after dinner, or later in the night taken with a little TV.

I like them both but they are quite different for me. Also I prefer the newer BT Centennial versus the SW.

For the price difference for me I would get Weller 12. I would have a hard time paying the going rate around here for Centennial which is usually $30 and up. There are many others in that price range I would choose first. But I bought quite a few Centennials for $25 that I love and will probably still get some more at that price. For $20 I like the Weller 12 for how I drink it and will get it again.

I would not say either is better than the other. They each have their place. But given availability, price, mood, and all the other variables one day I may buy the 12 and the next day the Centennial. And depending on how I lean that day it may not even be a wheater.

Oops, discussing how I may lean may be better be posted in another thread.

Ken

[Rughi]

I will characterize that I drink the 12 yo standing up. While outside at the grill or smoker, watering the lawn, or cooking in the kitchen. A casual drink, enjoyable but not complex. The Centennial is a sit down drink for me. Usually in the evening. With dessert, or during wind down time after dinner, or later in the night taken with a little TV.

I like them both but they are quite different for me. Also I prefer the newer BT Centennial versus the SW.

Ken

That's my guy!

Weller 12 is a standing-up bourbon and Centennial is a sit-down bourbon.

Settled.

Also, every time I hear someone preferring BT to SW Wellers, I feel the future of bourbon may be brighter than the pickin's of an underappreciated past.

Maybe the question isn't Centennial vs. 12, but the Ghost of Wheater Future vs. the Ghost of Wheater Past. God bless us, everyone.

Roger "Waiting for ol' Fitz" Hodges

[tango-papa]

Why would you care about Centennial when Weller 12 is cheaper and, arguably, better? Centennial's only advantage is its proof.

Centennial with a Louisville label is just a wee-little-bit-better than the 12...

[tango-papa]

Curious...

You walk into a liquor store with a few dusties on the shelf and there, side by side, are the following bottles...

- Weller 12 year priced at $21 - both first and second generation bottlings.

- Weller Centenial with a Louisville/BHC label at $35.

- Weller Centennial with a Frankfort/HC label at $35.

It's a no brainer for me, I'm getting the Centennial L'ville.

However, I'm curious if the price difference actually matters to some even knowing that one of them is S-W distillate.

~tp

[Old Lamplighter]

Curious...

You walk into a liquor store with a few dusties on the shelf and there, side by side, are the following bottles...

- Weller Centenial with a Louisville/BHC label at $35.

- Weller Centennial with a Frankfort/HC label at $35.

~tp

At this point, I would be happy to walk into a store with just one Weller Centennial no matter where it was distilled. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had not crossed paths with WC of late. Today, thanks to my good wife, I was in the Memphis metro area doing some Christmas shopping. I had a chance to stop at about a half-dozen of the larger stores on the east side of town but no WC to be found anywhere. Anybody else with same experience lately? If so, maybe it is part of the 'rationing' going on at BC these days due to shortages of old bourbon......although it was my understanding this did not include the wheaters. Comments?

[squire]

Its sitting on the shelves in my local store for about $23.00. Don't know if that signifies anything, I haven't really been paying attention, but I'm sure it has been regularly on the shelves for the last six months at least.

Squire

[jburlowski]

Always seems to be available here in No.KY --- although not at every liquor store.

[squire]

Trying to remember, its been at least 4-5 years since I bought a bottle, but don't recall it ever being absent from the shelves and I think I would have noticed if it had.

Squire

[AntiqueBourbon]

Please teach me

When was W.L.Weller 10y Centennial intoroduced in the market ?

This bourbon is UD Heritage Collection.

I love W.L.Weller Bourbon.

I have W.L.Weller 7y SW, W.L.Weller 10y SW, W.L.Weller BT,W.L.Weller 12y LaMaison Du Whisky BT, W.L.Weller 19y 2000, William Larue Weller 117.9proof,William Larue Weller 121.9proof, Old Weller 7y Antique SW.

My Blog is http://ameblo.jp/shotbarbourbon/:grin:

[gblick]

I can't believe I haven't replied to this thread, must've missed it.

I prefer the Centennial over the 12, but the price of the Centennial is much higher. Centennial costs $30 while the Weller 12 can still be found for as low as $18 around here. But when throwing price into the consideration, I'll walk away with the Weller 107 every time.

Welcome to the site AntiqueBourbon, you have a lot of great Wellers in your collection. That SW Old Weller 107 from Louisville is one of my favorite bourbons of all time!

[AntiqueBourbon]

Thanks, gblick

I like old weller 7y antique SW,too.SW's weller is more smooth and sweet than BT's weller,so I want to buy SW's weller.

I bought W.L.Weller 10yo SW $18 5years ago.

I buy W.L.Weller 10yo BT $20.

Old Weller 7yo is $22 in Tokyo.:grin:

[spun_cookie]

I find teh 2 12yr Wellers that I have had (Binny's and Party Cource I think) were very thin. THe Centennials that I have had (about 7-8 diffrent ones) are all much ritcher that the 12 Weller and the Julio's Weller is as good as some of the PVW 15 yrs I have had.

As a side note, Everman gave me 50 ml of his 10/107 Weller and it was better than some of the PVW 15yrs that I have had, but in general, the Centennial is better than the 10/107 to me...

[Attila]

My Blog is http://ameblo.jp/shotbarbourbon/:grin:

[kickert]

After having my eye on a bottle of Weller Centennial for quite a while, I finally negotiated it as payment for some handy work. Right now Weller 12 is my favorite under $50 bourbon so I have been looking forward to a head to head. Here are my notes:

Weller Centennial

COLOR: Dark amber

LEGS: Slow to form, thin and closely spaced

NOSE: Sweet familar Weller, perhaps a touch of sugar cane

FIRST SIP: Thinner than I expected, the proof is apparant, but does not have a strong burn like many 100+ bourbons. If I did not know better, I would assume this was 90 proof.

SECOND SIP: gradual flavor building, there is not a huge hit up front, or a strong finish. Slight hints of wood, but you have to search for the oaky tannins. Perhaps a hidden taste of toasted marshmellows.

FINISH: fairly long, but most alcohol burn and not flavor

SUMMARY: Solid pour and easily the smoothest 100 proof bourbon I have ever tasted. I would put it as a top tier (8.75-9) but I have to admit I am slightly disappointed.

Weller 12

COLOR: Dark amber (virtually identical to the Weller Cent)

LEGS: Even slower to form than the Weller Cent, goes to pearl necklace then narrow streams

NOSE: Not as sweet as the Weller Cent, but obviously a wheater

FIRST SIP: Vanilla is obvious as is a clear oaky taste, but nothing bitter or harsh. This is almost syruppy in taste, but not in mouthfeel.

SECOND SIP: The sweetness up front fades quickly to reveal more oak than I remember.

FINISH: the finish is definetly shorter than with the Weller Cent, but it also has more character with reoccuring pockets of sweetness

SUMMARY: Familar and excellent. There is a reason this tops my lists. I was surprised to find as much oak this time around - that has eluded me previously (perhaps I am just getting better at picking it out now that I have more older bourbons).

Conclusion:

Weller Cent is an excellent bourbon. I am a better man because I have had it. However, when compared with Weller 12, I am still going to go there. The 12 has more character and is cheaper and easier to find. The strength of the Weller Cent is in its ability to deliver a perfectly aged 10 yo at 100 proof without overwhelming anyone with the burn. On taste alone, I have to go with the Weller 12. If Weller Cent were easily available and <$25 I would keep it around. For now I can live without lamenting the unavailabily of this bottle.

Note: I will revisit this head to head tomorrow to see how things might open up.

[spun_cookie]

Put the centennial in a crystal glass. When it opens... is takes the 12 out to the wood shed.... or at least the ones that I have do.

The 13 yr Centennial from Julio's is crazy good. Its a PVW 13 yr in hiding

[Virus_Of_Life]

I agree with Mr Cookie; although I must admit I have never had a drink from a regular release of Frankfort Weller Centennial, so I guess really that means I shouldn't comment. That said the L'ville Centennial is, and I have no problem saying this, the best bourbon I've ever had for under $40 and the Single Barrel I have is equally amazing at just a touch over $31 that I paid. However both of them have taken at least a week if not a month to truly blossom with fresh air.

Those whose pallates I trust have said similar complimentary things about the Frankfort W.C. so I have no reason to doubt it's greatness.

.... I also think the extra proof is worth a little more money.

[OscarV]

I find teh 2 12yr Wellers that I have had (Binny's and Party Cource I think) were very thin. THe Centennials that I have had (about 7-8 diffrent ones) are all much ritcher that the 12 Weller and the Julio's Weller is as good as some of the PVW 15 yrs I have had.

As a side note, Everman gave me 50 ml of his 10/107 Weller and it was better than some of the PVW 15yrs that I have had, but in general, the Centennial is better than the 10/107 to me...

Ditto,

Centennial is the best.

[shoshani]

I have not had Centennial and it is unlikely that I shall, unless I can find some out of the way likker nook where Jim and Jack are the big sellers and the customers don't care for anything else.

kickert's note about the 100 proof being thinner than expected is interesting. I have noted the same thing about Rock Hill Farms vs Elmer T. Lee in that, in this instance, the 100 proof whiskey is sweet and delicate whereas the 90 proof whisky is huge, oily and chewy - just the exact opposite of what I would have expected. And, of course, I love 'em both.

[Buffalo Bill]

Put the centennial in a crystal glass. When it opens... is takes the 12 out to the wood shed.... or at least the ones that I have do.

The 13 yr Centennial from Julio's is crazy good. Its a PVW 13 yr in hiding

***And I only have two bottles left - crazy good! I love the 13 year Centennial, especially in the warmer weather = Spring. I've been finding myself going after more caramel and rye in the Winter, wheaters in the Spring & Summer. Pretty soon I'll be pulling out the "Lot-B" on a regular basis. For some reason, when the Spring weather hits I get on a Lot-B & OFBB jag.

BB