W.L. Weller Centennial Louisville Review

Today marks 38 years for me in this world so this morning started out in a celebratory phase. After coffee and what might be the world’s greatest donut (Luxardo Cherry Glaze Cronut), my mission for the morning was breakfast/brunch at Husk Nashville. The cheeseburger at Husk is one of the best I’ve had and one of my favorite meals in the city. As glorious as the food at Husk is, they also have quite a collection of rare Stitzel Weller bourbons that are said to be from chef Sean Brock’s own personal stash. Having already sampled the 1958 Old Fitzgerald the last time I was there I went with another whale from my bourbon wishlist, W.L. Weller Centennial. There are a couple variations of Weller Centennial but this is supposed to be the Stitzel Weller Louisville one rather than the Buffalo Trace Frankfort bottling.

50% ABV; Aged 10 years; $60 (1oz)

Notes: The nose is a classic wheated bourbon with a blast of cake batter, dark sugary fruits like dates, and some light cinnamon. The palate continues with the same classic notes - more vanilla cake batter, some slight spicy cinnamon, and sugar coated dark fruits. The finish tapers off with a little bit of old oak mixed in with dark sweets. Like the 1950s Old Fitzgerald I previously reviewed, the mouthfeel might be the single best part. The texture is thick and chewy but at the same time silky smooth. Simply sublime.

Thoughts: I was expecting to be underwhelmed but was pretty blown away by this. I’ve been known to mouth off that I prefer Old Bernheim wheaters to Stitzel Weller wheaters but I’m ready to stop saying that. This is probably the second best bourbon I’ve ever had behind the 50’s Old Fitz. It’s a perfect age so the oak notes are there but not too funky, the mouthfeel is incredible, the taste is decadently rich, and the proof is hardly noticeable. It’s everything you want in a bourbon.

Rating: A+, nearly perfect.

1958 Very Old Fitzgerald 8 year Bottled in Bond Review

I’ve never considered myself the world’s biggest Stitzel-Weller bourbon fan. I really love wheated bourbons but when it comes to old wheaters I’ve been know to say I actually prefer wheated bourbons from the old Bernheim Distillery. I’ve had later era Stitzel Weller in the form of Pappy Van Winkle and while I think it’s good I don’t really feel the urge to seek it out. If you follow any celebrity chefs or other people who have been to the top of bourbon mountain though I am pretty sure most of them would tell you that the really old stuff from the 50’s and 60’s is as good as it gets. Honestly I’ve always thought there is probably some level of overhyped elitism going there but deep down I’ve always been really curious to try some just to be sure. When I heard Sean Brock had released some of his private collection to his restaurant Husk I figured I might never had another chance to try some so I let go of the death grip on my wallet and bellied up to the bar.

50% ABV; Aged 8 Years (1950-1958); $160/oz

Notes: The nose is classic Stitzel-Weller scents - dark fruits like dates, molasses, and light cinnamon. It also has hints of funky old oak but just enough to be interesting without being overbearing. The nose is very rich and it smells older than it is. I would have guessed 11-12 years just from a sniff. On the first sip the thing I immediately noticed was the incredible lush mouthfeel. It’s thick and chewy without being oily which reminds me a lot of the Hirsch 16’s divine texture. The taste echoes all the great notes from the nose but with even more deep dark sugar, fig fruits, and just the right tannic complexity without being too oaky. The finish lingers with deep sweetness and wood notes for quite a while. An hour later on the ride home I could still taste it.

Thoughts: I truly expected to be underwhelmed by this but it is everything I’ve ever wanted in a bourbon. It has wonderful oak complexity but it’s not funky. The mouthfeel is sublime, the flavors are decadent, and there’s almost no heat so it’s smooth as butter. This is perfection.

Rating: 100. I am forever ruined.