Weller Antique 107 Proof 750ML is a wheated Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV) in a 750ml bottle from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Named "Spirit of the Year" at the 2025 London Spirits Competition, this expression has earned a devoted following for its full-flavored intensity and its connection to the same wheated mashbill behind the legendary Pappy Van Winkle line — a kinship that earned it the widely used nickname "Poor Man's Pappy." Quick Facts: ABV: 53.5% (107 Proof) | Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA | NAS (estimated 6–8 years) | Distillery: Buffalo Trace Production & Heritage Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States — produces Weller Antique 107 using a wheated mashbill of corn, wheat, and malted barley. Where most bourbons use rye as the secondary grain, the Weller line substitutes wheat, a formula pioneered by William Larue Weller in the 19th century. The 107-proof bottling is a non-age-stated expression, though it is widely believed to carry bourbon aged approximately six to eight years; Buffalo Trace has not disclosed the exact maturation period. Copper column and pot stills feed spirit into charred new American oak barrels, and the 107 proof point is selected as the level where the distillery believes flavor intensity and drinkability reach optimal balance. Tasting Notes Aroma: A wave of rich sweetness opens with honey, vanilla, and caramel, followed by toasted marshmallow and honey graham cracker. Deeper inhales reveal orange zest, cherry, and a candy-like brightness reminiscent of powdered sugar. Taste: The entry is warm and buttery, with bold layers of toffee, butterscotch, and baked pastry filling the mid-palate. Ripe red fruit — cherry and raspberry — emerges alongside cinnamon spice that builds with real heat, while the wheat-forward profile contributes a distinctive floral sweetness. A dash of oak char grounds the sweetness and keeps it from becoming cloying. Finish: Long, warm, and satisfying, with the initial sweetness giving way gradually to drying oak spice, black pepper, and a touch of nutmeg. A lingering hint of cherry and a gentle tannic grip bring everything to a clean close. How to Drink Weller Antique 107 At 107 proof, a few drops of water or a single large ice cube open up the bourbon's sweeter layers without flattening its spice — though seasoned drinkers will find it rewarding neat as well. Its higher proof and bold flavor profile also make it a standout cocktail bourbon. An Old Fashioned benefits from the toffee and cinnamon backbone that punches through sugar and bitters. A Boulevardier works exceptionally well because the wheat-driven sweetness balances Campari's bitterness more gracefully than most rye-forward bourbons. A Whiskey Sour gains body and richness at this proof, with the cherry and caramel notes complementing fresh citrus. Best For Bourbon collectors seeking wheated expressions with Pappy Van Winkle lineage Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates higher-proof, full-bodied sippers Blind tasting nights comparing wheated bourbons against rye-recipe counterparts Building craft cocktails that require a bourbon with enough proof and character to lead the drink Frequently Asked Questions What does Weller Antique 107 taste like? It delivers a rich, dessert-like profile of toffee, honey, toasted marshmallow, and baking spices, punctuated by red fruit notes of cherry and raspberry. The 107-proof strength adds noticeable cinnamon heat and a long, peppery finish. How does Weller Antique 107 compare to Maker's Mark Cask Strength? Both are wheated bourbons bottled at barrel-strength-adjacent proofs, but Weller Antique 107 tends toward a more candy-sweet, toffee-rich profile while Maker's Mark Cask Strength leans into bolder oak, dark fruit, and vanilla. Weller Antique 107 is also bottled at a fixed 107 proof, whereas Maker's Mark Cask Strength varies by batch. Is Weller Antique 107 good for sipping neat? Yes — many bourbon drinkers consider it one of the most approachable higher-proof bourbons available, thanks to the wheated mashbill's softer, sweeter character that tempers the 53.5% ABV heat. A few drops of water further smooth the palate for those sensitive to proof. Where is Weller Antique 107 made? It is distilled and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, a National Historic Landmark site that has been producing bourbon on the same grounds since 1773. The distillery is owned by the Sazerac Company. What foods pair well with Weller Antique 107? Smoked pork ribs or pulled pork benefit from the bourbon's caramel sweetness cutting through smoky fat. Dark chocolate truffles echo the toffee and cherry notes. Pecan pie mirrors the nutty, butterscotch-heavy palate. Aged Gouda's caramel and salt character complements the bourbon's sweetness and spice. Apple-based desserts such as tarte Tatin align naturally with the baking-spice finish. What sizes does Weller Antique 107 come in? The standard retail offering is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed size for this expression. Is Weller Antique 107 worth the price? At its suggested retail price, Weller Antique 107 positions as a mid-tier bourbon punching well above its weight class in flavor complexity and proof, which explains its multiple Gold and Double Gold medals at international competitions. Secondary-market markups can be steep due to limited allocation, so value depends heavily on the price actually paid. Why Weller Antique 107? Few bourbons at this price tier share a direct genetic link to the most coveted American whiskey family in existence — the Pappy Van Winkle range uses the same Buffalo Trace wheated mashbill that defines Weller Antique 107. That lineage alone sets it apart, but the bourbon stands on its own merits: a 2025 "Spirit of the Year" from the London Spirits Competition, Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Best of Class at the 2021 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition confirm its quality beyond the hype. The fixed 107-proof bottling delivers enough intensity for serious sipping and cocktail work while remaining approachable — a balance that higher-proof allocated bourbons rarely achieve at this level. For drinkers who want to understand what the wheated bourbon conversation is all about, this is one of the most rewarding entry points available.
