Weller Single Barrel Bourbon
Overall Score: 7.25/10
Overall Value: 2.75/5
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Classification: Wheated Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company Inc.
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 97
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Wheated Mash
Color: Golden Honey
MSRP: $70 (2026)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this Weller Single Barrel Bourbon leads with a distinct hit of bright citrus, such as orange peel and lemon, alongside faint, traditional wheated notes of cereal grains and a touch of marshmallow. As it breathes in the glass, a pleasant layer of red fruit develops, bringing notes of cherry and apricot alongside vanilla and well-aged oak. However, despite these nice touches, the overall scent profile can feel a bit quiet and subdued.
The mouthfeel on the palate is light and fruit-forward, opening with sweet flavors reminiscent of red Twizzler ropes and dark red fruit. As the sip develops, you get hints of toffee, vanilla wafers, and a gentle touch of oak. Unfortunately, it is accompanied by a slightly chalky, drying sensation and a touch of raw alcohol heat that pulls focus away from the sweeter elements, making for an average and unexciting experience.
The finish is relatively short and leaves much to be desired. What little lingers is mostly a dry continuation of the oak from the palate, occasionally punctuated by a faint hint of cherry. For some, the exit may turn overly bitter with notes of char and tobacco, leaving a somewhat rough impression that distracts from the earlier sweetness.
Considering the massive hype and the notorious difficulty of finding one, this bottle is ultimately a letdown. While it doesn't completely fail in any single category, the profile is entirely average and lacks the depth expected from a high-profile release. If you happen to score a bottle at MSRP, it is hard to justify when standard shelf options like Weller 107 or Full Proof easily eclipse it. Given that you will likely never find this on sale outside of inflated secondary prices, your money is much better spent elsewhere.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is primarily sweet, but there is a good amount of aged oak present as well.
Occasionally giving me almost a bit of a drier profile.The sweet profile is on the fruity side like cherry and apricot with maybe a touch of vanilla.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light and fruity. Initially, it tastes like the red Twizzler ropes, but there is a chalky almost drying sensation that accompanies it.
Afterwards I get a bit of a vodka alcohol profile as it moves more towards oak.
Perhaps a bit of vanilla wafer as well.
THE FINISH:
There is not much of a finish present here.
What lingers is mostly a dry continuation of the oakiness from the palette.
I could faintly pick out a bit of the cherry flavor as well.
BUY OR PASS?
For the difficulty of finding it and the price point, I really don’t think this bottle is worth it. Even if you manage to get it at MSRP, there are probably $50 dollar bottles on your shelf that drink just as good if not better.
If you like the Weller profile, 107 or Full Proof do it better justice. Single Barrel certainly doesn't fail in any areas, but the profile is not my preference and it drinks pretty average.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
I get a lot of citrus —think orange peel and lemon. Since it's a wheated bourbon, those "honeycomb" or Frosted Flakes smells that I get are there, but they’re pretty faint.
I even picked up a little marshmallow. As it sits in the glass, some red fruit starts to show up, but honestly, everything feels a bit watered down and quiet.
THE TASTE:
It’s your standard wheated bourbon profile. The wheat isn't too "bready" or overpowering, which is fine.
You get some of that darker red fruit sweetness and maybe a hint of toffee, but it doesn't really do anything to wow you.
THE FINISH:
This is where things go downhill. The finish is mostly just bitter. Some people might call it "char" or "tobacco," but for me, it was almost enough to ruin the whole drink.
It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
BUY OR PASS?
I’ve got to be honest: this 2026 Single Barrel is a letdown. Aside from that bitter finish, it’s "fine," but when a bottle has this much hype and a massive price tag on the secondary market, you expect a lot more.
Even at the $70 retail price, I wouldn't buy another one. There are way better ways to spend your money than on a big name brand that doesn't deliver.
