One of the few good things about the LCBO in Ontario is that I can get this for $40CAD, which is actually less expensive than Makers Mark. One of my favourite bourbons in its category. Obviously I much prefer the 107, and that's $70. Thanks for your honesty. Cheers Bill 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Funny, I came here to say the exact same thing about the LCBO! Many days I curse them because they have no stock of the cool whiskies I want to try or they don't even carry it all (often an issue when I watch bourbon reviews) but at least we can walk into any location, any time and buy any bottle for the exact same, usually reasonable price as if we had gone to any other location or online.
Yeah but luckily for you your liquor control laws let you semi occasionally get 107. In America you’ll never find it, and when you do prices go upwards of 150 dollars.
@@ThePlatinumsquirrel correct, it's not a perfect system but there are certainly perks as well. Plus whenever they do get the special release stuff, they usually keep a few cases back at the central distribution warehouse so if you keep an eye out for something you want, you can usually snag a bottle online through the deliver to home or pick-up in-store options if your local LCBO does not get any inventory. Whenever they do get more stock of 107, it is currently on the LCBO website for $64.95 CAD all-in incl. taxes and the $0.20 bottle deposit.
I love this video so much. I can't stand how even retailers now are jacking up prices to sometimes above secondary. It's gross, but a huge part of the problem is the people BUY THAT SHIT at those prices, and this the cycle continues.
I love this about you and another channel. A very up front honest and realistic video. I've went to liquor stores and stores where a bottle is way to expensive and I walk away. Thank you
I can’t get Weller Special Reserve here in PA but I can get it in a couple of my neighboring states for less than $24 if I go west or $100+ if I go east or north. I like it for what it is and at will pick it up at the $24 price when I travel but cannot imagine paying the higher prices for it. It also makes a great gift because it is so hard to get for most people. I agree that makers 46 is great, especially the cask strength but it is more than 2x the price of the Weller at retail. Bourbon hype and prices are absolutely crazy, I completely agree with your rant but I must admit it is a blast to hunt.
I have never had Weller and cannot remember the last time I saw a bottle of it in a store. Have always assumed it was probably no better than regular Maker's Mark or Larceny, which are readily available everywhere I shop. And I also think Buffalo Trace is perfectly fine, but not something to go crazy over. I can think of at least 5 under $30 Bourbons that I like as well, or more, than BT. I will probably replace my bottle of it with another when it is empty, but I fell no need to hoard it.
I don’t understand why buffalo trace and welled are so hard to come by in the the USA. I live in Canada and I can find both at every local liquor store for $39.99 Canadian ($31 us). They are always in stock
Weller was easily available in BC in the mid-30s (CAD) up until a couple of months ago. In the past few weeks even regular BT is occasionally not on the shelf. The hype train has reached Canada. Argh.
This is the first video I have watched on your channel. What State are you in? I find the Weller SP a great bottle to keep on the shelf. I just picked up another bottle as a back up for $26. Yes, I agree that there are other bottles out there that you can pick up but if you’re able to pay retail for this bottle at $26 it’s a good pour. $35 is too high for this bottle. 46 is always a great pour. I personally like a little higher proof and like you, I like the Oak to come through in my bourbon. Weller it’s just one of those Bourbons you have to have on the shelf. I like the whole lineup. I’m looking forward to looking at more of your content. Have a wonderful day, cheers!
Ohio is State regulated(not that I like gov regulating but this one works for me). That bottle is $23 and change. I can get it just about every week. Absolutely fine bottle for about $24. I will be searching for your recommendations too.
Bill you are spot on! I live in Connecticut and Weller is non-existing. My local store had a Weller 107 for $450! Crazy but it did sell. Too many good bourbons for $40 to pay those crazy prices. For God's sake its just brown juice.
Great review. I refuse to pay those crazy prices for a whiskey/bourbon that is just "ok". In VA, I have seen the regular (750) for over $125 in the DC area. For that price, there are better choices out there.
I loved this soapbox. My channel motto is ' No collecting, no secondary, and no Macallan.' I think that what's happening on secondary and in collecting are wrecking the market, and for nothing. I used to be a big collector of... stuff. Foreign currency, bass guitars, you name it. if I had an interest, I built a collection. But it's just consumerism. I'm down to the two basses I gig with, and Ive stopped collecting pretty much everything. I have no bottles that I will not, at some point, open. And I have so far not FOMO-ed myself into buying something on secondary. It would have to be something I'd die without tasting.
There is a liquor store near my work that has 107 listed for $159. I went in for 4 roses single barrel and noticed a self full of their pick of private barrel select. Their picks are good so asked how much (none of the special stuff is priced). He said it was $139 plus I had to buy 2 more 4 roses products. Min retail is $75 in my area. I was like thanks but I will just take the single barrel. Some times they only mark up like $10 a bottle and other times they get stupid. I don’t mind a little markup. As much as this pisses me off, at least they they are straight forward about it. Other stores similar in size will swear up and down they never see these bottles and what I heard from a distributor while chatting to him at total wine, this is likely a lie and they are putting them directly on the second market.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I know. It’s not good bourbon shopping in the metro Detroit area. I was waiting for my pizza a few weeks ago, and there was a crappy ran down liquor store next door. They didn’t have anything but I noticed a 375 eagle rare sitting on the shelf. I thought "retail price" but when I asked the guy how much, he told me $40. Thanked him and I walked out. I really thing the bubble is going to burst when guy’s realize they are already have more in their bunkers than they can drink in 10 years.
@@ShutterFanatic Hey buddy I’m in Macomb County and I only have found a couple stores. Do you have any insight on stores that have decent selection at decent prices? I’d really appreciate it. Going to the derby again this year, I seem to find it down there much easier.
It’s crazy to me that people will pay a premium for this. In South Texas we can find this for $25-30 all day, same goes for Buffalo Trace. I’d never spend more than $35 on either. In fact I have an extra bottle of Weller SR that’ll probably just be a gift at some point.
Thats so funny... big reason I have a hard time keeping up with thr strictly bourbon channels too. They've got everything at their fingertips... I have to scrounge. But I have better access to Scotch, which is a superior style of whisky anyway :)
I agree, this tastes a little thin. Quality-wise, I prefer the classic Maker's Mark (haven't had the 46). And if you take into account availability and price, it's a no-brainer. MM in the Philippines is between $12 and $18. I got my Weller for $40, but regular price here is around $60.
Loved your rant. I totally agree that the market has become unreasonable for BT products and other allocated whiskeys. I paid $75 for an ECBP in 2020 and $70 for an Eagle Rare in 2021 which is too much but dirt cheap compared to what it could have been. I'm not even so much upset with people who pay inflated prices when they want to drink it themselves. What P's me off is the people who buy it just to sell on secondary. There are people who never get to experience it bc there is little availability and what you can find is way overpriced. That's true whether it's a BT product, a Playstation, or a Furbee. About this whiskey, a buddy of mine shared it with me and I thought it was good but not worth more than like $40.
Hey Bill, love the video and the "tell it like it is" attitude that I have come to respect in your reviews. I think the comparison to potato water may be a little over the top (though funny and totally awesome IMO.) I have to say that I do have a bit of a soft spot for WSR. Here's a bit of context though: 1. Here in BC I can get this for CAD $39.00 (which like $2 lower than Maker's Mark standard issue)... and it's not that difficult to find (which is unusual given how hard it is to find bourbon up here); 2. There is something in the mash bill that I do like. Not sure what it is (probably wheat vs rye - I love wheaters) but there is something that is "uniquely Weller" in the flavour profile; 3. FULL DISCLOSURE: I haven't had any for probably coming on two years now, so my memory may be playing tricks on me. My main bourbon has been Maker's Mark (and Woodford) for a while - so maybe I'm romanticizing WSR a bit (I've experienced that before with Evan Williams Black); 4. I totally would NOT pay any more than CAD $40.00 for this. As you rightly pointed out, there are many bourbons (even available up here in Canada) that are better value at the price point. Then again, people who pay secondary market prices for things maybe aren't going for something they're going to drink? I totally want to try Maker's 46 in the next while. It's a bit pricier up here ($60.00) but everything I've heard about it has been positive. BTW, please don't tell BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) that they can charge $130+ for this. It's a nice starter bourbon but totally not one that people should pay a premium for!
I found Weller SR to be not very good but not bad either. There's a bit of harshness in the finish that I don't don't enjoy but it does have nice slight sweetness to it. But there are a lot of people who do enjoy it. I suggest that if you can find it for close to MSRP and have never tasted it, buy it and try it for yourself. I passed on it when I fist saw it for $29 because every WhiskeyTuber said it sucked but eventually FOMO got the better of me in the end and I bought for $35. There are certainly worse buys out there for that price than Weller SR.
What happened to Weller is now happening to Buffalo Trace. For some, it is the only BT product they on the shelf (without a crazy markup), so they buy it and post photos on Reddit like they found something special, and that makes others look for it and buy it too. Then stores put a limit of one per customer, so it looks even more special, and the spiral begins. Before you know it BT is $90 a bottle. I know it's coming.
People are always going to be curious to try this no matter what the “experts” say. I don’t blame you, go for it. You could certainly do a lot worse than this though. I’ve enjoyed several bottles of this over time. Last bottle I bought on 1/22/23 for $22 in central FL. Well worth it. Just ask you local chain; sooner or later you’ll snag one.
Great Video, I feel the same way. The Store near me normally has Wellers with a note saying 1 bottle only and it a normal price. but I am not the biggest fan of Wheated whiskeys & prefer Rye or high rye bourbons. Also I have been boycotting any Buffalo Trace product and mostly never see any on the shelves anymore so they are making it easy for me. plus I prefer Larceny over Wellers and it is always available and there is plenty of excellent bourbons and Whiskey out there a lot cheaper and better in my opinion. just my 2 cent.
I'm in Texas and Weller Reserve is always on the shelf and it's around $35 skins. The other Weller's are on the shelf too, but they're priced too high. So, there they will collect dust until someone with more money than common sense buys them.
Here in Ohio we regularly get both WSR and Antique at MSRP. I have a couple of bottles of WSR just for guests that want something lower proof but much prefer Antique though it is now up to $50. I agree M46 is much better than WSR.
Great video, I agree with your perspective and recommendation! I think Weller Special Reserve is ok, its a bottle to buy at MSRP, it’s not one that you should pay over $35 or spend much time hunting either. Keep up the great videos, I always enjoy them! Cheers 🥃
Well, I have to say that I do like the Weller Reserve. Don't love it, but it's just fine - at msrp! Have been very fortunate getting a few of these at / near msrp. That being said, once you get past the $40 level -well past - and that's the new normal I would have to agree that there's lots of far better options available. Lots Not at all familiar with the Bernheim you suggested so will be keeping an eye out for it now. Makers 46, especially the cask strength is excellent if you like wheaters.. Found 4 tonight at $40 !!! Until I got to the register and was told that they were (obviously) mis-priced. Almost stole them without a gun. Same store had one bottle of regular Buffalo Trace priced at $90 !!!!! so I absolutely would have stiffed them at their own game if they hadn't caught their error
Hear, hear. This is a solid $20 bottom-shelf bottle. That's where it belongs. Anyone who's elevating it beyond that has either been duped or is simply fooling themselves. I think of it as the chicken breast of bourbon - not much flavor on its own but plays really well with other ingredients. =)
I think this is a good bourbon for the price ($24). We are going to do a couple blind flights to find the best wheated bourbon. Rebel, Rebel 100, Larceny, and David Nicholson 1843. Top 2 winners will face Makers and Weller. As for your better options, Bernheim is not a bourbon, it is a wheat whiskey. Meaning it is at least 51% wheat in the mashbill. Makers 46 seems to retain between $35 to 40. Looking at BoozApp's MSRP listing (crowdsourced) and that state of PA. At MSRP, Weller SR is 11-14 dollars cheaper. I will agree it is not worth much more than MSRP, and for the price you paid yeah, not worth it. I love what you do, but I feel like your personal feelings about weller got in the way of appreciating the whiskey as what it is, a $24 bottle of bourbon. Hopefully, at some point soon, I will have more to say about sub $30 wheated bourbons.
I scored a bottle a few years ago along with a bottle of Blantons. "Two unicorns in one trip!" Well, they both sucked! I still have a half of a bottle of Blantons and limit myself to drinking it during John Wick re-runs. John Wick and bad Whiskey do pair well. 😄
IMO, it's nasty. It's the bottle and hype most people go for. Blind test it against some bottom shelf bourbon. I bet you find it's not your favorite even among the cheap stuff.
Interesting take on the social media feedback loop. I wonder if it’s also similar to board games on Kickstarter where there is a strong FOMO that compels people to spend outrageous amounts on a game that isn’t worth it, and then they feel obligated to hype the game to justify their purchase. Probably not too many folks will drop $100+ on a bottle of this and then make a post saying it’s not worth the money.
I tried this a few months ago and this video and the comments coincide with what I felt. This has been my least favourite bourbon so far and the only bourrbon I actually had a hard time finishing. And I live in Canada where I find whiskeys (unfortunately) to be really hit or miss.
I strongly dislike the 46, for whatever reason. I do like the Weller Reserve at retail and my daughter is able to find it cheap in Florida. Our local store doesn’t price gouge so I buy whatever Weller they have knowing it will eventually get drank. Would still say people who find Weller at reasonable prices should give it a try. It might be a little more in some places because of taxes.
"No a whole lot going on." That's my summation too. Now the 12 year old...that's another story. I find this a lot with entry level wheated bourbons but they blossom with higher age and Abv.
Stopped at one of my local Wegmans with an attached liquor store and got a Peerless Small Batch for about 70 bucks. Looks like they overcharged by about 8 bucks compared to other places I've seen it since. Not a big overage, but an overage nonetheless.
and I thought I’m the lucky one, cause I got GD21 2021 bottling and CB No Name 3. Now I’m 😢, but…….🤣. Cheers Bill! And I do have this one and 107 and 12 yo I bought while ago when they still were in stores for normal price and this is sad.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary First of all I’m not an expert I just like whiskies. I do like 12, it’s has a wood influence, it’s sweet, very palatable and pleasant for my taste. Specifically for price I used to buy them which was $32
Here's to all them Taters out there. Thanks for a bit of entertainment. These Buffalo Trace whiskies are getting out of control, and there's no reason for all of their releases to be going for 3x or more on the store shelves. They're all good, but they are going to suffer and never live up to the hype the masses put on them. Keep up the great work Bill.
I agree except about the suffering. If Buffalo Trace was gonna suffer it would have happened. People are still paying the markups without a second thought on their products and don't seem to care if its good or lives up to the price.
Just picked up this bottle today for 89 bucks 😮💨 But it's so hard to find good whiskey around my area. To find better whiskey at a reasonable price, I'd have to spend 100 dollars in gas, just to get there! lol
A big part of Buffalo traces appeal is good quality for their prices-but that point is moot when it’s all impossible to find. Weller sr is just okay at the msrp, maybe a bit better than regular makers in my opinion. Not worth anywhere near the secondary prices. Please don’t be sad if you can’t find it. NAILED it with the makers 46-my go to easy to find bottle!
I like Weller SR and think it’s a good wheated bourbon at MSRP. I got it for $27 in my state ABC and don’t regret it. Is it worth more than $27? No., but I generally don’t think any whiskey is worth a markup. Is it worth hunting? No. It is not. Is it bold and complex? No, but I like the subtle flavors and sometimes I’m in the mood for that type of flavor profile. It’s also nice to share with a newbie. As with anything from BT, it gets a lot of hype and a lot of hate. I agree there are much better wheated bourbons out there (M46, Makers Wood Finishing Series, and Old Elk to name a few), but those are also more expensive. I think Weller holds its own within its price range. At MSRP, it’s a tad cheaper than regular Makers and I think Weller SR is better. In my area, Larceny is the same price as Weller SR. It’s been a while since I had Larceny, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I chose Weller SR over Larceny in a blind tasting. I haven’t had Burnnheim before. So, I can’t speak to how it stacks up there. I usually frown on the “tater” jokes, but that intro made me laugh my butt off. Classic. Did you really drink it?
Totally agree. Not worth the hype at all. Ive had a couple chances to buy this between $27-30 and passed on it, even when i first started collecting. I have a bottle, but thats because someone else gifted it to me. They got it at the distillery. The regular buffalo trace is much better, and i do like wheaters, but ya, weller SR is very thin. Its pretty much a one noter unless you really search for other notes. Its absolutely ridiculous that ppl will pay more than $40-50 for this, nvm $100+. Antique 107 is pretty good, but drinks really hot for 107 proof, much more flavor than SR though, so i can see people paying $80 for it, but not much more. I have a couple full proof store picks i paid $55-65, and those are pretty damn good. Weller 12yr, again, WAY over rater. I get it its the hardest to find, aside from cyob and single barrel, but its just not all that good. Again, not much flavor, especially for a 12yr. Its worth msrp, maybe $60-70 because its harder to find, but no where close to the $200-300 it goes for on secondary. Back to the SR. I would never buy a bottle of it, even at msrp. I wouldnt blame/shame anyone for buying it for msrp just to try it or to have in their collection, but to chase it and pay anything more than $30-35 is absolutely not worth it. Btw, love the potato water comparison lol
It is crazy. Even the bars are jacking up the prices of a pour. Paid $15. What a rip off. I liked it but I am new to this and for the price I won't be drinking again till I find a $30 or less bottle.
Weller Special Reserve should be around $20, and this allocation/secondary market nonsense is a real bummer. That being said- Weller tastes nothing like potatoes in a blender. That hacky bit of theater was unfortunate. Cheers
Weller special reserve is 35-40 bux Canadian all day here in Alberta and every store has it..I blame the Americans..LOL Joke just kidding ! the wellers sr is a great bourbon..lol...getting cranky in your old age bill...lol
I agree, not worth the price even at msrp (25 bucks). Weak flavors & harsh on the palate. Any Makers product is better than WSR imo. It's just branding material.
Weller is so underwhelming. I get asked for it constantly and theres so many things i recommend over it, and often the people begging for weller dont want to be reasoned with.
Even at $35 I'd say this is overpriced. The fact that it's so hard for most people to get is just ridiculous, and the markups are even worse. At absolute most, $25 and even that would be disappointing. I agree, when I see a store that has that insanity for markups, even if the rest of their selection is fine, I just leave.
One of the few good things about the LCBO in Ontario is that I can get this for $40CAD, which is actually less expensive than Makers Mark. One of my favourite bourbons in its category. Obviously I much prefer the 107, and that's $70. Thanks for your honesty. Cheers Bill 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Funny, I came here to say the exact same thing about the LCBO! Many days I curse them because they have no stock of the cool whiskies I want to try or they don't even carry it all (often an issue when I watch bourbon reviews) but at least we can walk into any location, any time and buy any bottle for the exact same, usually reasonable price as if we had gone to any other location or online.
Yeah but luckily for you your liquor control laws let you semi occasionally get 107. In America you’ll never find it, and when you do prices go upwards of 150 dollars.
@@ThePlatinumsquirrel correct, it's not a perfect system but there are certainly perks as well. Plus whenever they do get the special release stuff, they usually keep a few cases back at the central distribution warehouse so if you keep an eye out for something you want, you can usually snag a bottle online through the deliver to home or pick-up in-store options if your local LCBO does not get any inventory. Whenever they do get more stock of 107, it is currently on the LCBO website for $64.95 CAD all-in incl. taxes and the $0.20 bottle deposit.
Just picked it up here in Calgary for $40 as well. Haven't seen it before. I actually quite like it!
Didn't know where you were going with that intro but I sure did like it. And please rant, rave, or tell a story more often!
I was so happy filming it... less so when I sipped the potato
Honest review as always, and I really enjoyed you taking the starch out of Weller prices. Thanks Bill!
Hah! Great pun
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary That potato gag was hilarious! 😂
I love this video so much. I can't stand how even retailers now are jacking up prices to sometimes above secondary. It's gross, but a huge part of the problem is the people BUY THAT SHIT at those prices, and this the cycle continues.
I’m happy I live in Texas, just bought a 1.5L bottle for $35
Exactly.
Sneaker culture is the same way. I enjoy both cool sneakers and good whiskey. I refuse to overpay for both.
Makers Mark 46 , Larceny and even Rebel Yell 100 , are what I tend to buy in a budget wheater . That was a good and honest video .🥃👍
I love this about you and another channel. A very up front honest and realistic video. I've went to liquor stores and stores where a bottle is way to expensive and I walk away. Thank you
@Beef_yo 🤣🤣 maybe lol
I can’t get Weller Special Reserve here in PA but I can get it in a couple of my neighboring states for less than $24 if I go west or $100+ if I go east or north. I like it for what it is and at will pick it up at the $24 price when I travel but cannot imagine paying the higher prices for it. It also makes a great gift because it is so hard to get for most people. I agree that makers 46 is great, especially the cask strength but it is more than 2x the price of the Weller at retail. Bourbon hype and prices are absolutely crazy, I completely agree with your rant but I must admit it is a blast to hunt.
I have never had Weller and cannot remember the last time I saw a bottle of it in a store. Have always assumed it was probably no better than regular Maker's Mark or Larceny, which are readily available everywhere I shop. And I also think Buffalo Trace is perfectly fine, but not something to go crazy over. I can think of at least 5 under $30 Bourbons that I like as well, or more, than BT. I will probably replace my bottle of it with another when it is empty, but I fell no need to hoard it.
I don’t understand why buffalo trace and welled are so hard to come by in the the USA. I live in Canada and I can find both at every local liquor store for $39.99 Canadian ($31 us). They are always in stock
Weller was easily available in BC in the mid-30s (CAD) up until a couple of months ago. In the past few weeks even regular BT is occasionally not on the shelf. The hype train has reached Canada. Argh.
I’ve seen Buffalo Trace for $28 in Florida
This is the first video I have watched on your channel. What State are you in?
I find the Weller SP a great bottle to keep on the shelf. I just picked up another bottle as a back up for $26. Yes, I agree that there are other bottles out there that you can pick up but if you’re able to pay retail for this bottle at $26 it’s a good pour. $35 is too high for this bottle. 46 is always a great pour. I personally like a little higher proof and like you, I like the Oak to come through in my bourbon. Weller it’s just one of those Bourbons you have to have on the shelf. I like the whole lineup.
I’m looking forward to looking at more of your content. Have a wonderful day, cheers!
Thanks BaBa Bourbon! I live in Massachusetts. Definitely harder to get bourbons up here.
Ohio is State regulated(not that I like gov regulating but this one works for me). That bottle is $23 and change. I can get it just about every week. Absolutely fine bottle for about $24. I will be searching for your recommendations too.
Nice job, Bill. After having pours from friends, I'd buy Maker's ignore Weller.
Makers mark is meh, the 46 is good. Also, don’t be a dick
I'm not even from the US but the "rant" part was very interesting to listen to.
Appreciate the timestamp, but man do I love a good rant!
I could have gone harder... maybe another time :)
Bill you are spot on! I live in Connecticut and Weller is non-existing. My local store had a Weller 107 for $450! Crazy but it did sell. Too many good bourbons for $40 to pay those crazy prices. For God's sake its just brown juice.
Thats ABSOLUTELY insane
Great review. I refuse to pay those crazy prices for a whiskey/bourbon that is just "ok". In VA, I have seen the regular (750) for over $125 in the DC area. For that price, there are better choices out there.
I loved this soapbox. My channel motto is ' No collecting, no secondary, and no Macallan.' I think that what's happening on secondary and in collecting are wrecking the market, and for nothing.
I used to be a big collector of... stuff. Foreign currency, bass guitars, you name it. if I had an interest, I built a collection.
But it's just consumerism. I'm down to the two basses I gig with, and Ive stopped collecting pretty much everything. I have no bottles that I will not, at some point, open. And I have so far not FOMO-ed myself into buying something on secondary. It would have to be something I'd die without tasting.
There is a liquor store near my work that has 107 listed for $159. I went in for 4 roses single barrel and noticed a self full of their pick of private barrel select. Their picks are good so asked how much (none of the special stuff is priced). He said it was $139 plus I had to buy 2 more 4 roses products. Min retail is $75 in my area. I was like thanks but I will just take the single barrel. Some times they only mark up like $10 a bottle and other times they get stupid. I don’t mind a little markup. As much as this pisses me off, at least they they are straight forward about it. Other stores similar in size will swear up and down they never see these bottles and what I heard from a distributor while chatting to him at total wine, this is likely a lie and they are putting them directly on the second market.
Everything you said in this post makes me angry
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I know. It’s not good bourbon shopping in the metro Detroit area. I was waiting for my pizza a few weeks ago, and there was a crappy ran down liquor store next door. They didn’t have anything but I noticed a 375 eagle rare sitting on the shelf. I thought "retail price" but when I asked the guy how much, he told me $40. Thanked him and I walked out. I really thing the bubble is going to burst when guy’s realize they are already have more in their bunkers than they can drink in 10 years.
@@ShutterFanatic
Hey buddy
I’m in Macomb County and I only have found a couple stores. Do you have any insight on stores that have decent selection at decent prices? I’d really appreciate it. Going to the derby again this year, I seem to find it down there much easier.
It’s crazy to me that people will pay a premium for this. In South Texas we can find this for $25-30 all day, same goes for Buffalo Trace. I’d never spend more than $35 on either. In fact I have an extra bottle of Weller SR that’ll probably just be a gift at some point.
Thats so funny... big reason I have a hard time keeping up with thr strictly bourbon channels too. They've got everything at their fingertips... I have to scrounge.
But I have better access to Scotch, which is a superior style of whisky anyway :)
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I wish I could get good Scotch here. I can’t find Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 anywhere. My local stores didn’t even know about it.
I had the Antique 101 and that one was like a strong perfume. The special Reserve doesn't express much.
I agree, this tastes a little thin. Quality-wise, I prefer the classic Maker's Mark (haven't had the 46). And if you take into account availability and price, it's a no-brainer. MM in the Philippines is between $12 and $18. I got my Weller for $40, but regular price here is around $60.
Loved your rant. I totally agree that the market has become unreasonable for BT products and other allocated whiskeys. I paid $75 for an ECBP in 2020 and $70 for an Eagle Rare in 2021 which is too much but dirt cheap compared to what it could have been.
I'm not even so much upset with people who pay inflated prices when they want to drink it themselves. What P's me off is the people who buy it just to sell on secondary. There are people who never get to experience it bc there is little availability and what you can find is way overpriced. That's true whether it's a BT product, a Playstation, or a Furbee.
About this whiskey, a buddy of mine shared it with me and I thought it was good but not worth more than like $40.
Hey Bill, love the video and the "tell it like it is" attitude that I have come to respect in your reviews.
I think the comparison to potato water may be a little over the top (though funny and totally awesome IMO.) I have to say that I do have a bit of a soft spot for WSR. Here's a bit of context though:
1. Here in BC I can get this for CAD $39.00 (which like $2 lower than Maker's Mark standard issue)... and it's not that difficult to find (which is unusual given how hard it is to find bourbon up here);
2. There is something in the mash bill that I do like. Not sure what it is (probably wheat vs rye - I love wheaters) but there is something that is "uniquely Weller" in the flavour profile;
3. FULL DISCLOSURE: I haven't had any for probably coming on two years now, so my memory may be playing tricks on me. My main bourbon has been Maker's Mark (and Woodford) for a while - so maybe I'm romanticizing WSR a bit (I've experienced that before with Evan Williams Black);
4. I totally would NOT pay any more than CAD $40.00 for this. As you rightly pointed out, there are many bourbons (even available up here in Canada) that are better value at the price point. Then again, people who pay secondary market prices for things maybe aren't going for something they're going to drink?
I totally want to try Maker's 46 in the next while. It's a bit pricier up here ($60.00) but everything I've heard about it has been positive.
BTW, please don't tell BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) that they can charge $130+ for this. It's a nice starter bourbon but totally not one that people should pay a premium for!
Hah, 110% the potato thing was over the top. It was also TOTALLY disgusting lol
Came out very lucky yesterday went to a close by liquor store near me and there was 1 bottle of buffalo trace for MSRP and I immediately took it.
Amen brother! Well said. I get more happiness from buying a knob creek single barrel which is widely available than a mediocre Weller special reserve.
I found Weller SR to be not very good but not bad either. There's a bit of harshness in the finish that I don't don't enjoy but it does have nice slight sweetness to it. But there are a lot of people who do enjoy it. I suggest that if you can find it for close to MSRP and have never tasted it, buy it and try it for yourself. I passed on it when I fist saw it for $29 because every WhiskeyTuber said it sucked but eventually FOMO got the better of me in the end and I bought for $35. There are certainly worse buys out there for that price than Weller SR.
What happened to Weller is now happening to Buffalo Trace. For some, it is the only BT product they on the shelf (without a crazy markup), so they buy it and post photos on Reddit like they found something special, and that makes others look for it and buy it too. Then stores put a limit of one per customer, so it looks even more special, and the spiral begins. Before you know it BT is $90 a bottle. I know it's coming.
Thanks for speaking the truth. Every Maker's and Larceny expression blow WSR out of the water. My bottle is strictly mixer.
FYI, "hey whaddya got in the back" can also be used on a date.
Probably with the same results
People are always going to be curious to try this no matter what the “experts” say. I don’t blame you, go for it. You could certainly do a lot worse than this though. I’ve enjoyed several bottles of this over time. Last bottle I bought on 1/22/23 for $22 in central FL. Well worth it. Just ask you local chain; sooner or later you’ll snag one.
Great Video, I feel the same way. The Store near me normally has Wellers with a note saying 1 bottle only and it a normal price. but I am not the biggest fan of Wheated whiskeys & prefer Rye or high rye bourbons. Also I have been boycotting any Buffalo Trace product and mostly never see any on the shelves anymore so they are making it easy for me. plus I prefer Larceny over Wellers and it is always available and there is plenty of excellent bourbons and Whiskey out there a lot cheaper and better in my opinion. just my 2 cent.
Minor correction: Bernheim is actually a Wheat Whiskey, not a bourbon.
But I agree, I like Bernheim and treat it as a wheater bourbon.
The opening is gold Bill LMFAO 🤣
I'm in Texas and Weller Reserve is always on the shelf and it's around $35 skins. The other Weller's are on the shelf too, but they're priced too high. So, there they will collect dust until someone with more money than common sense buys them.
I appreciate the honesty review. I could have waited and purchased something else, nevertheless it's a lesson learned.
The Wegmans near me is always fair about pricing as well. 👍
#LessFlippinMoreSippin 🙌
Hah, I like that
Great review of wellers. I prefer weller 12. Keep
It up.
In Michigan I’ve seen it at a couple places for $79.99. I’ve never had it but I’m not spending that much when people say it should be $30 or less
Just one technical detail, the Bernheim is a whiskey made from over 70% wheat, therefore not actually a bourbon.
You're right, I definitely said that wrong. Wheated whiskey not wheated bourbon :)
Here in Ohio we regularly get both WSR and Antique at MSRP. I have a couple of bottles of WSR just for guests that want something lower proof but much prefer Antique though it is now up to $50. I agree M46 is much better than WSR.
Great video, I agree with your perspective and recommendation! I think Weller Special Reserve is ok, its a bottle to buy at MSRP, it’s not one that you should pay over $35 or spend much time hunting either. Keep up the great videos, I always enjoy them! Cheers 🥃
Well, I have to say that I do like the Weller Reserve. Don't love it, but it's just fine - at msrp! Have been very fortunate getting a few of these at / near msrp.
That being said, once you get past the $40 level -well past - and that's the new normal I would have to agree that there's lots of far better options available. Lots
Not at all familiar with the Bernheim you suggested so will be keeping an eye out for it now. Makers 46, especially the cask strength is excellent if you like wheaters.. Found 4 tonight at $40 !!! Until I got to the register and was told that they were (obviously) mis-priced. Almost stole them without a gun. Same store had one bottle of regular Buffalo Trace priced at $90 !!!!! so I absolutely would have stiffed them at their own game if they hadn't caught their error
Hear, hear. This is a solid $20 bottom-shelf bottle. That's where it belongs. Anyone who's elevating it beyond that has either been duped or is simply fooling themselves. I think of it as the chicken breast of bourbon - not much flavor on its own but plays really well with other ingredients. =)
I think this is a good bourbon for the price ($24). We are going to do a couple blind flights to find the best wheated bourbon. Rebel, Rebel 100, Larceny, and David Nicholson 1843. Top 2 winners will face Makers and Weller.
As for your better options, Bernheim is not a bourbon, it is a wheat whiskey. Meaning it is at least 51% wheat in the mashbill. Makers 46 seems to retain between $35 to 40. Looking at BoozApp's MSRP listing (crowdsourced) and that state of PA. At MSRP, Weller SR is 11-14 dollars cheaper.
I will agree it is not worth much more than MSRP, and for the price you paid yeah, not worth it.
I love what you do, but I feel like your personal feelings about weller got in the way of appreciating the whiskey as what it is, a $24 bottle of bourbon.
Hopefully, at some point soon, I will have more to say about sub $30 wheated bourbons.
Yea I misspoke. I was targeting wheated whiskies... I went with a wheater but used too broad of a term there.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary All good. Thanks for the video. Cheers!
I got a SR in an auction for £35. Its more going for 2x plus. Nope. Glad I got it and tried it but for a normal price.
I scored a bottle a few years ago along with a bottle of Blantons. "Two unicorns in one trip!" Well, they both sucked! I still have a half of a bottle of Blantons and limit myself to drinking it during John Wick re-runs. John Wick and bad Whiskey do pair well. 😄
Blantons is actually good. Not saying worth the hype by any means but it’s an objectively good bourbon to most people
@@cnkirch1215 depends on the bottle
@@LeatherDaddy97 yeah I’ve never had a bad bottle of blantons before though
@@cnkirch1215 its fine. Its a very average decent whiskey in a cool bottle. They vary quite a bit so what bottle you get makes a difference.
IMO, it's nasty. It's the bottle and hype most people go for. Blind test it against some bottom shelf bourbon. I bet you find it's not your favorite even among the cheap stuff.
I would pass that by as I reach for the WT101.
You'd be wise to
I mix Weller special reserve with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 50 x 50 to make Pappy Van Winkle’s 12 Year ;-)
Interesting take on the social media feedback loop. I wonder if it’s also similar to board games on Kickstarter where there is a strong FOMO that compels people to spend outrageous amounts on a game that isn’t worth it, and then they feel obligated to hype the game to justify their purchase. Probably not too many folks will drop $100+ on a bottle of this and then make a post saying it’s not worth the money.
I tried this a few months ago and this video and the comments coincide with what I felt. This has been my least favourite bourbon so far and the only bourrbon I actually had a hard time finishing.
And I live in Canada where I find whiskeys (unfortunately) to be really hit or miss.
I strongly dislike the 46, for whatever reason. I do like the Weller Reserve at retail and my daughter is able to find it cheap in Florida. Our local store doesn’t price gouge so I buy whatever Weller they have knowing it will eventually get drank.
Would still say people who find Weller at reasonable prices should give it a try. It might be a little more in some places because of taxes.
The thing I like about wsr is the grape on the taste.
Never gotten grape off weller
"No a whole lot going on." That's my summation too. Now the 12 year old...that's another story. I find this a lot with entry level wheated bourbons but they blossom with higher age and Abv.
Stopped at one of my local Wegmans with an attached liquor store and got a Peerless Small Batch for about 70 bucks. Looks like they overcharged by about 8 bucks compared to other places I've seen it since. Not a big overage, but an overage nonetheless.
and I thought I’m the lucky one, cause I got GD21 2021 bottling and CB No Name 3. Now I’m 😢, but…….🤣. Cheers Bill! And I do have this one and 107 and 12 yo I bought while ago when they still were in stores for normal price and this is sad.
What do you think of the 12?
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary First of all I’m not an expert I just like whiskies. I do like 12, it’s has a wood influence, it’s sweet, very palatable and pleasant for my taste. Specifically for price I used to buy them which was $32
Here's to all them Taters out there. Thanks for a bit of entertainment. These Buffalo Trace whiskies are getting out of control, and there's no reason for all of their releases to be going for 3x or more on the store shelves. They're all good, but they are going to suffer and never live up to the hype the masses put on them.
Keep up the great work Bill.
I agree except about the suffering. If Buffalo Trace was gonna suffer it would have happened. People are still paying the markups without a second thought on their products and don't seem to care if its good or lives up to the price.
Just picked up this bottle today for 89 bucks 😮💨
But it's so hard to find good whiskey around my area. To find better whiskey at a reasonable price, I'd have to spend 100 dollars in gas, just to get there! lol
Lol my liquor store sold me them at $21. Gotta love my specs
I was like "I don't think that's how you make vodka...I thought this was a whiskey channel anyways?????" 🤣
Haha! That's really funny!
Had it, the hype was just hype
Bought for $18.99
A big part of Buffalo traces appeal is good quality for their prices-but that point is moot when it’s all impossible to find. Weller sr is just okay at the msrp, maybe a bit better than regular makers in my opinion. Not worth anywhere near the secondary prices. Please don’t be sad if you can’t find it. NAILED it with the makers 46-my go to easy to find bottle!
Forget Buffalo Trace. Is a METRIC TON of great, available, and affordable Bourbon on shelves.
subscribed
I saw Buffalo Trace for $38 recently, I’ve see it for $20!
My kind of review. We must all try to break free from the Tater Matrix (Buffalo Trace) and experience the real world whiskey.
I like Weller SR and think it’s a good wheated bourbon at MSRP. I got it for $27 in my state ABC and don’t regret it. Is it worth more than $27? No., but I generally don’t think any whiskey is worth a markup. Is it worth hunting? No. It is not. Is it bold and complex? No, but I like the subtle flavors and sometimes I’m in the mood for that type of flavor profile. It’s also nice to share with a newbie. As with anything from BT, it gets a lot of hype and a lot of hate.
I agree there are much better wheated bourbons out there (M46, Makers Wood Finishing Series, and Old Elk to name a few), but those are also more expensive. I think Weller holds its own within its price range. At MSRP, it’s a tad cheaper than regular Makers and I think Weller SR is better. In my area, Larceny is the same price as Weller SR. It’s been a while since I had Larceny, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I chose Weller SR over Larceny in a blind tasting. I haven’t had Burnnheim before. So, I can’t speak to how it stacks up there.
I usually frown on the “tater” jokes, but that intro made me laugh my butt off. Classic. Did you really drink it?
Totally agree. Not worth the hype at all. Ive had a couple chances to buy this between $27-30 and passed on it, even when i first started collecting. I have a bottle, but thats because someone else gifted it to me. They got it at the distillery. The regular buffalo trace is much better, and i do like wheaters, but ya, weller SR is very thin. Its pretty much a one noter unless you really search for other notes. Its absolutely ridiculous that ppl will pay more than $40-50 for this, nvm $100+. Antique 107 is pretty good, but drinks really hot for 107 proof, much more flavor than SR though, so i can see people paying $80 for it, but not much more. I have a couple full proof store picks i paid $55-65, and those are pretty damn good. Weller 12yr, again, WAY over rater. I get it its the hardest to find, aside from cyob and single barrel, but its just not all that good. Again, not much flavor, especially for a 12yr. Its worth msrp, maybe $60-70 because its harder to find, but no where close to the $200-300 it goes for on secondary. Back to the SR. I would never buy a bottle of it, even at msrp. I wouldnt blame/shame anyone for buying it for msrp just to try it or to have in their collection, but to chase it and pay anything more than $30-35 is absolutely not worth it. Btw, love the potato water comparison lol
Yep, the Reserve is not the 107 , which used to be affordable.
Larceny 94 proof is better than Swiiler Unspecial Reserve and it's around $20 -ish.
When my neighborhood liquor store has it in stock they sell it for $22 and limited to two pure customer. I like it but I'm not in love with it.
larceny is better for about the same $
🍻
It is crazy. Even the bars are jacking up the prices of a pour. Paid $15. What a rip off. I liked it but I am new to this and for the price I won't be drinking again till I find a $30 or less bottle.
just popped up in Chicago for $30. might pass on this. Big Bottle of BT single barrel pick was recently $44 here. Thanks.
For $25 it's not bad, but there's not a ton there. Definitely a good beginner bourbon. I think it's crazy people pay more than $35 for this.
Wish i would've watched this before buying 2 bottles at 36.00 each, that popped up at this store i buy bourbon from. Which i haven't seen in 2 years
36 isn't bad? Really. I think you're fine
@TheWhiskeyDictionary OK, yes here at a suburb of Chicago
Maker line absolutely destroys Weller. Makers 101, Makers Cask Strength, Makers 46 cask strength, Makers Private Selects, and Makers Wood Finishing series.
I’ve been drinking/collecting for about 4yrs now and I finally found Weller SR in Maryland (I’m in VA), it was $40….wouldn’t buy again
Buffalo Trace must have had a talk with Nvidia.
Weller Special Reserve should be around $20, and this allocation/secondary market nonsense is a real bummer. That being said- Weller tastes nothing like potatoes in a blender. That hacky bit of theater was unfortunate. Cheers
Oh come on. You've never heard people who chase the secondary market called "taters"?
Weller special reserve is 35-40 bux Canadian all day here in Alberta and every store has it..I blame the Americans..LOL Joke just kidding ! the wellers sr is a great bourbon..lol...getting cranky in your old age bill...lol
I agree, not worth the price even at msrp (25 bucks). Weak flavors & harsh on the palate. Any Makers product is better than WSR imo. It's just branding material.
This is pretty much my least favorite bourbon. I used this to make a 4 grain mix because I could not drink it because the flavor was just bad.
Weller is so underwhelming. I get asked for it constantly and theres so many things i recommend over it, and often the people begging for weller dont want to be reasoned with.
Even at $35 I'd say this is overpriced. The fact that it's so hard for most people to get is just ridiculous, and the markups are even worse. At absolute most, $25 and even that would be disappointing.
I agree, when I see a store that has that insanity for markups, even if the rest of their selection is fine, I just leave.
I agree , definitely over rated. Larceny is the around same $ , easier to find and better .
🍻
Dude woke up and chose violence
Hah! Sure did!
Poor potato at the start.. cheers with a better drink
The other potatoes got to be part of a pot roast. This one got liquefied. Yea... not fair to that potatoe
Paid 26 once. Overrated. If you want a solid wheater get the plain Makers cast strength.
The scalping of BT products really makes me sick. It's the bourbon community literally ripping each other off. Just sad.
Never liked wheaters.
This is a Mickey Mouse bourbon channel. Go watch liquor hound way more mature and refined . Stop complaining about prices. Don’t buy the bottles…
I agree liquor hound is great. Don't get the insult. Also, I'm not a bourbon channel. I cover all types of whisk(e)y