Whiskey Review: Weller Antique 107 Bourbon

Introduction

Today we're revisiting a longtime fan-favorite: Weller Antique 107. Also known as Old Weller Antique, OWA, or simply "Weller 107," this wheated bourbon is one of the most sought-after bottles in the Buffalo Trace lineup. At 107 proof, it sits above Weller Special Reserve and just below Weller 12 Year, though many enthusiasts claim it offers the most crowd-pleasing flavor in the lineup.

This bottle's popularity exploded as part of the so-called "Poor Man's Pappy" blend (a combination of Weller Antique 107 and Weller 12 that allegedly mimics Pappy Van Winkle). But hype aside, how does it actually perform in the glass? We tracked down pours at local bourbon bars to find out.

Weller Antique 107 is an undisclosed-age wheated bourbon (rumored to be 6-8 years old), made using Buffalo Trace's wheated mash bill. Let's dive into the tasting.

This review is taken from our podcast episode "Pulp Fiction (1994) / Weller Antique 107 Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad: This is a very unique nose in the world of wheated whiskeys. There's some peanuts, some really dark cherry notes, and a lot of vanilla. The note that kept coming around for me was black licorice. I hate black licorice, but if I smell it, I’m okay. If I taste it, I want to go murder somebody. But this doesn’t ruin the whiskey for me. I’m giving it 8/10.

Bob: I had my pour out of a rocks glass at a dive bar, which threw me off a bit. But blending that with what I know to be true about this whiskey, the nose was consistently great. I picked up maple and honey, like a maple doughnut drizzled in honey. Incredibly decadent. 9/10.

Taste

Brad: The dark cherry on the nose becomes more maraschino-like on the palate. The nuttiness shifts toward walnut, and there's some caramel in there too. This is just a really nice, pleasant, enjoyable bourbon. 8/10.

Bob: Typically, Weller Antique is one of the crown jewels of widely available wheated bourbons. But the bottle I had last night tasted way more bitter than I remember. Strong oak notes, like Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel levels of bitterness, which threw me off. Still, knowing how good this usually is, I'm settling at 8/10.

Finish

Brad: The finish lingers a long time. You get dark cherry again, with some oak coming through. It reminded me of cream of wheat. I wanted a little more punch, so I'm coming down slightly to 7.5/10.

Bob: I got bitter cherry, almost like cherry pit, and sour oak. It reminded me of sucking on a cherry seed. Not my favorite pour of this whiskey, but I know it can be better. I'll give it 7/10.

Balance

Brad: I’m at an 8/10. Lots of great flavors and a really positive experience overall. Even 20 minutes after finishing the pour, I could still taste it pleasantly on my palate.

Bob: I’m going 7.5/10 here. My scores have gone 9-8-7 across the first three categories. Maybe the blend has changed or quality control has shifted slightly. Still a solid whiskey, just not the experience I usually expect.

Value

Brad: MSRP is about $60, but it’s hard to find. If you want to spend $200, it’s out there. But considering the difficulty of finding it and how good it is when you can, I’m giving it 7/10.

Bob: Same here, 7/10. If you’re in a state with controlled pricing, you might score it at MSRP, but you’ll probably have to wait in line. And I just won’t do that. Factor in the time and labor, and it’s still a good, but not outstanding, value.

Final Scores

Brad: 38.5/50
Bob: 38.5/50
Average: 38.5/50

This is a damn good whiskey. It doesn’t quite hit that 40 mark for us anymore, but it remains a well-balanced, rich, and decadent pour. If you can find Weller Antique 107 for anywhere near MSRP or under $10 a pour at a bar, it's absolutely worth your time.

As always, 35/50 is our soft recommendation threshold. A 40 is a no-brainer. While Weller Antique doesn’t quite crack elite territory this time around, it’s still one of the best wheated bourbons you can find, if you can find it.