Latest news with #WellerAntique107
Forbes
22-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
The World's Best Whiskey Is A Bourbon, According To The London Spirit Competition
W.L. Weller Antique 107 Bourbon 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. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Bourbon, According To The London Spirits Competition
Glass of whisky with ice, sitting on the American Flag. getty American whiskeys resounded at the 8th annual International London Spirits Competition (ILSC), dominating the whisky category and securing top honors for several bourbon expressions. The 2025 competition, which attracted several thousand submissions from over 30 countries, was a testament to the exceptional quality of American whiskeys. Below is a detailed account of the various American whisky category winners. According to Sid Patel, CEO of ILSC: This year's judging panel was a powerhouse of over 70 top industry experts, including Master Distillers, Master Blenders, Mixologists, and elite buyers. The panel featured renowned names like Dr. Emma Walker, Master Blender at Johnnie Walker, and Craig Wallace, Whisky Creation Leader and Master Blender at Diageo. W. L. Weller Antique 107 took top honors as the 2025 Spirit of the Year and Best Spirit by Quality. The Weller Antique 107, a wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, stands out in the highly regarded Weller line. Bottled at 107 proof/53.5% ABV, it offers a robust expression of the Weller profile and shares some DNA with the legendary Pappy Van Winkle, making it a unique and sought-after whiskey. The nose features rich aromas of dark fruit, cinnamon, and vanilla, with hints of caramel and oak. It's full-bodied on the palate, with warm spice, cherry, toffee, and baking spices. The wheat lends a smooth, slightly creamy texture. The finish is long and spicy, with lingering notes of cinnamon, oak, and a touch of sweetness. Weller Antique 107 is a perennial winner in international spirit competitions and is widely considered one of the world's great whiskeys. Its balance of heat, sweetness, and depth is exceptional. The whiskey is in high demand and difficult to find at retail, typically selling at a substantial premium to its list price. Barrels of Bourbon aging in a warehouse getty Lancaster Craft Spirits Distillery, Ale Cask Rare Bourbon, was the Straight Bourbon of the Year. Lancaster's Ale Cask Rare Bourbon is a limited-release, 6 YO straight bourbon that showcases the distillery's innovative approach to barrel finishing. Initially aged in #4 char American white oak barrels, the bourbon undergoes an extended finishing period of over a year in barrels previously used for their Scottish-style Wee Heavy Ale, known as Shaggy Bullz. The bourbon is fruity, with distinctive vanilla, nuts, and seasoned oak notes. It's buttery smooth on the palate with a rich, full-bodied texture featuring vanilla and toasted oak, complemented by praline pecan and caramelized fruit flavors. The influence of the ale cask imparts malted sweetness and dried fruit characteristics, enhancing the bourbon's complexity. This bourbon is bottled at 94 proof/47% ABV and reflects Lancaster Craft Spirits' dedication to blending traditional distilling techniques with creative barrel finishing methods. Finishing in ale casks adds a unique dimension to the bourbon, making it a distinctive offering for enthusiasts seeking novel flavor experiences. Sazerac 1792 Single Barrel was the Single Barrel Bourbon of the Year. 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon, a premium expression from Sazerac's Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, is a bourbon crafted from a high-rye mash bill, though the exact proportions are undisclosed. Each bottle originates from a single, hand-selected barrel deemed exceptional by the distillery, resulting in unique flavor profiles across different releases, making each bottle a distinct tasting journey. Aromas of vanilla, caramel, and oak are prominent on the nose, accompanied by subtle hints of cinnamon, baking spices, and dried fruit notes. The palate offers a harmonious blend of vanilla, caramel, and oak, with varying degrees of milk chocolate, plum, and sweet pastry flavors depending on the barrel. The mouthfeel is typically creamy and full-bodied. The finish is medium to long, featuring notes of fudge, nutmeg, and hazelnut, with lingering spice notes. 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon features a rich and complex flavor profile, offering a flavorful dram for bourbon enthusiasts. Its unique characteristics, derived from individual barrels, make each bottle a distinct tasting journey. Priced around $40–$50, it's also compelling for those seeking quality bourbon without a hefty price tag. A gloved worker seals a bottle of Maker's Mark whiskey at the distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. | Location: Loretto, Kentucky, USA. getty Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky was the Wheat Whisky of the Year and the Whiskey Producer of the Year. Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky is the distillery's first wheat whisky, marking its first new mash bill in over 70 years. Named after the 1,100-acre Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, this release emphasizes regenerative agriculture and estate-grown grains. The mash bill is a blend of two recipes—one with 70% soft red winter wheat and 30% malted barley, and another with 100% malted soft red winter wheat. This results in a combined mash bill of 61% wheat, 20% malted wheat, and 19% malted barley. The whiskey is a blend of seven- and eight-year-old whiskeys, distilled and barreled in 2016 and 2017, and is bottled at a cask strength of 114.7 proof/ 57.35% ABV. It's scheduled for release in May 2025 at an RRSP of $100 for a 750 ml bottle. The release carries the Estate Whiskey Certification from the University of Kentucky's Estate Whiskey Alliance, highlighting its commitment to local sourcing and sustainable production. Sazerac Early Times was the Blended American Whiskey of the Year. The whisky has a bourbon DNA but is aged in a combination of new and used oak barrels and is classified as an American whiskey. Templeton Rye Whiskey Single Barrel was the Rye Whiskey of the Year. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey was the Tennessee Whiskey of the Year, while Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey Batch 905 was the Single Barrel American Whiskey of the Year. The American whiskeys that took top honors at the 2025 International London Spirits Competition are an eclectic blend of legacy and craft whiskey producers, featuring historic brands and new whiskey expressions. These whiskeys are outstanding and worth trying, especially the new and craft expressions. See also The World's Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, According to the London Spirits Competition.
