Musty oak | Dark cherries | Leather | Molasses | Toasted nuts

Toffee | Stewed dark fruit | Funky dry oak | Caramel chews | Graham cracker | Butterscotch | Thick mouthfeel

Heat upfront | Leather | Tobacco | Dark fruit | Dry oak | Pop of cinnamon | Long

Returning at a slightly higher age and slightly lower proof than last year’s release, the Antique Collection’s barrel proof wheated bourbon maintains strong year over year consistency. Dark fruit, musty oak, sweet accents, and a long finish could describe either vintage, and interestingly both lost the same 64% to the angel’s share. Contrastingly, the 2022 release pulls back a bit on the cherry note that can dominate at times, instead serving up more of a general dark fruit note that won’t overwhelm anyone, but that also pops a bit less than past years.

Clocking in just shy of 13 years old, William Larue Weller may be the second youngest release in the Antique Collection, but the fact that it’s barrel proof and still comes in at such a high relative age for a wheated bourbon is a notable trait. The bourbon exhibits a nicely integrated funky oak presence throughout the sip, but at no point does it overpower the other flavors which are bright and lively throughout. The effective integration of flavors is the reason William Larue Weller is so highly sought after year after year, and deserving of the attention it receives. 2022’s release will please fans of the brand, but doesn’t quite reach the absolute heights William Larue Weller has shown in recent years.