The World's Best Whiskey Is A Bourbon, According To The London Spirit Competition
Buffalo Trace Distilery
In the world of whiskey, few names stir up as much reverence—and market frenzy—as W.L. Weller. And now, with W.L. Weller Antique 107 clinching "Spirit of the Year" and "Best Spirit by Quality" at the 2025 London Spirits Competition, the bourbon world just got another loud, clear reminder: this wheated whiskey isn't just riding coattails—it's setting the pace.
Let's be clear—this isn't a fluke. The judges didn't just fall for pretty packaging or clever branding. They were swayed by what insiders have been saying for years: Weller 107 is the real deal. Rich, layered, and unapologetically bold, it's a bourbon that manages to walk the tightrope between power and elegance.
Crafted at the storied Buffalo Trace Distillery, Weller 107 shares a family tree with the famed—and nearly mythical—Van Winkle line. They spring from the same mash bill, one that trades rye's spicy punch for wheat's soft sweetness. A choice originally masterminded by the legendary Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle himself and embraced by William Larue Weller who the Weller line is named after. The result? A spirit that leans into caramel, vanilla, and oak with a texture that coats the palate like velvet.
Buffalo Trace isn't just another distillery—it's the beating heart of American bourbon. Perched along the banks of the Kentucky River in Frankfort, it has been producing whiskey for over 200 years, surviving wars, recessions, and even Prohibition (thanks to a medicinal whiskey license). Today, it's the engine behind a powerhouse portfolio that includes not just Weller and Van Winkle but modern legends like Eagle Rare, Blanton's, and E.H. Taylor. What sets Buffalo Trace apart isn't just history—it's an obsessive focus on consistency, innovation, and quality that continues to define the industry standard.
The W.L Weller Antique lineup.
Buffalo Trace Distilery
That same commitment is on full display in Weller 107. Bottled at a commanding 107 proof, this is not a whiskey for the faint of heart. It delivers a big, expressive profile—honeyed richness, dark fruit complexity, and a warming spice finish—that's best appreciated neat and with a moment of reverence.
Unlike many super-premium bourbons, Weller 107 doesn't sport an age statement—that's by design. Instead of being locked into arbitrary numbers, Buffalo Trace's master blenders let taste dictate the timing, pulling barrels when they're peaking rather than when the calendar says so. That approach is paying off—in awards, acclaim, and sky-high demand.
Which brings us to the catch: good luck finding it.
Once a sleeper hit on shelves, Weller 107 is now a unicorn bottle. Thanks to limited releases and a collector market gone wild, prices on the secondary market have soared, often reaching multiples of MSRP. What was once a bourbon for the people has become, in many circles, a status symbol.
Still, at its core, Weller 107 remains what it's always been: a link to bourbon's heritage, a product of patience and intention, and a testament to what happens when tradition meets taste. Whether it ends up opened on a special night or tucked away in a locked cabinet, one thing's sure: this bottle means business.
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