Cherry cobbler | Sweet oak | Caramel | Barrel char | Old leather | Molasses | Light smoke | Excellent

Dark raspberry | Chocolate | Mixed nuts | Black cherry

Barrel char | Sweet oak | Tobacco | Plum | Touch dry | Lingering heat

In my experience, William Larue Weller tends to be the rock of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Consistently big and bold, and hitting a high quality bar each year, perhaps it's no surprise we’ve never rated William Larue Weller below a 4. It looks like we won’t be breaking that incredible streak this year either.

This year’s release comes in at the same age as last year’s edition, but the big change is the bourbon’s proof. While it feels like William Larue Weller lives in the 130+ range for every release, that isn’t true, and 2024’s release is one such year it hits below it. But don’t think the release is soft, coming in at 125.8 proof, because this year’s release drinks higher than its proof. This extra unsuspecting voltage is felt throughout its sip and definitely lingers far after the sip is gone. Most importantly, though, the proof doesn’t get in the way of its bourbon’s favors, and that’s probably the most important part.

This year’s release features one of the best aromas for a William Larue Weller that I can remember. Delicious sweet cherry cobbler beautifully carries with it decadent sweet oak, potent caramel, leather, and molasses, with barrel char and light smoke capping things off perfectly. The palate features a wonderful mix of dark raspberry, black cherry, chocolate, and mixed nuts that remind me of a box of Russell Stover assorted chocolates. The finish offers ample barrel char and sweet oak, and though direct, they are never overpowering. Tobacco, plum, and a touch of dryness follows with lingering heat finishing out the sip.

As the “king” of barrel proof wheaters, 2024’s William Larue Weller isn’t the powerhouse of a sip it often is. It drinks higher than its proof, but it tastes more tempered and in control of itself than previous editions. The flavors have room to breathe and exist with each other without getting overpowered by one particular flavor or an overbearing oak note. It’s another excellent showing by William Larue Weller, that any high proof wheated bourbon lover will thoroughly enjoy, which coincidentally, is the 25th anniversary of Sazerac acquiring the brand.