There are bourbons you drink, and there are bourbons you sit with. William Larue Weller 2005, bottled in 2017 after twelve years in the rickhouse, is firmly in the second camp. This is part of Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection — the annual release that sends bourbon hunters into a frenzy — and the Weller line specifically represents one of the few wheated bourbon recipes still produced at scale in Kentucky. Where most bourbons use rye as the flavouring grain in their mashbill, Weller swaps it for wheat, and that single substitution changes everything about how this spirit develops over a decade-plus of ageing.
At 64.1% ABV, this is barrel proof in the truest sense. No water added after maturation, no adjustment — just straight from the barrel to the bottle. That matters because you're tasting exactly what twelve years of Kentucky climate did to this whiskey. The seasonal temperature swings push spirit in and out of the charred oak, and at this proof, every bit of that extraction is present and accounted for. This isn't a sipper you rush. Give it time in the glass. Let it open up. Add a few drops of water if you need to — there's no shame in it at this strength, and frankly it can reveal layers that the full proof keeps locked away.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes I can't confirm, but here's what the profile tells you before you even nose the glass: wheated bourbons at this age and proof tend to lean into rich, dessert-like territory. The wheat softens the grain character compared to a high-rye recipe, while twelve years of barrel contact at barrel strength means heavy oak influence, deep caramel, and a viscous, coating mouthfeel. The 2005 vintage spent its entire life ageing through some notably hot Kentucky summers, which would have accelerated that oak interaction. Expect this to drink big, sweet, and bold.
The Verdict
At £2,400, this is not an everyday bourbon. Let's be honest about that. You're paying for scarcity, for the Antique Collection pedigree, and for a specific vintage that's now nearly two decades removed from distillation. Is it worth it? If you're a serious bourbon collector or you want to experience what extended-age wheated bourbon tastes like at full strength, this is one of the benchmarks. The William Larue Weller release consistently ranks among the best bourbons produced in any given year, and the 2005/2017 bottling benefits from that long maturation window. I'd rate this an 8.5 out of 10 — it's an exceptional whiskey that delivers on the promise of its reputation, and the barrel-proof presentation means you're getting the unfiltered, uncut version of what Buffalo Trace's warehouses can produce. The only reason it doesn't score higher is the price barrier, which puts it out of reach for most people who'd genuinely appreciate it.
Best Served
Neat, in a Glencairn or wide-rimmed rocks glass, with a small jug of room-temperature water on the side. Start at full proof, take your time, then add water in small increments — a quarter teaspoon at a time — until you find the sweet spot. For me, bringing it down to around 55% ABV tends to be where wheated bourbons at this age really sing. If you're feeling bold, this would make a genuinely extraordinary Old Fashioned — just a sugar cube, two dashes of Angostura, and an orange peel. At this proof, the bourbon stands up to the dilution from the ice and the cocktail becomes something memorable. But given the price tag, I'd save the mixing for a night when you really want to show off.
