Old Weller Antique 107 A Bourbon Classic Loved by Many

One of the most common feelings among whiskey fans is the urge to explore. This may be true for just one spirit, like bourbon, or for all spirits. Still, most drinkers keep a safe choice that always feels right to them. Anyone who knows me already knows where my taste lies, and I am not alone. Even if money was no problem, it is impossible to try every bourbon today. Since most of us cannot buy everything, we must be careful while shopping. One distillery shines in the current bourbon culture and deserves attention. This same distillery also makes one of the hardest bottles to find locally.

Discovering Old Weller Antique 107 Bourbon

My coverage of Weller has been mixed, sometimes positive and sometimes not. Still, I tried the 12-Year and Full Proof before tasting Antique 107 myself. So, what separates Old Weller Antique 107 from the other Weller siblings? The difference is proof: 107 compared to Full Proof’s stronger 114 bottling. It once carried a seven-year age statement but now comes without that note. Currently, it is believed to be around six years old on average. 

Nose, Palate, and Finish of Antique 107

On the nose, there is caramel apple, candy-sweet vanilla, and brown sugar. As it sits, the aroma turns sweeter, almost like cherry bubblegum candy. It smells like classic bourbon, making it very easy to fall in love with. The palate brings caramelized red apple, vanilla, and brown sugar flavors. The first sip delivers a quick rush of proof with cinnamon spice. This early punch slowly fades, perhaps harming the pour’s strong impression. 

Price, Value, and Drinking Use

So what cost really makes sense for this level of bourbon experience? I think it should be available for casual bourbon fans at fair prices. It works well for sweeter cocktails or simple neat pours at home. Old Weller Antique 107 is beginner-friendly and suited for casual drinking. One of my favorite bottles remains Old Weller Antique 107 Bourbon Whiskey. It is also known as WL Weller Antique, OWA, or Weller 107 red label. 

A Brief History of Weller Bourbon

WL Weller is credited with creating the Weller brand in bourbon history. He was the first to use wheat instead of rye in the mash bill. Wheat gives bourbon a softer and sweeter taste compared to rye versions. During prohibition, Pappy joined The A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery for sales. After prohibition ended, Stitzel Distillery became the Stitzel-Weller brand. The earliest Weller bottlings appeared in 1936 with many label changes. Stitzel-Weller made Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Cabin Still, and Rebel Yell. Old Rip Van Winkle also returned in the 1970s after long absence.

What Is Non-Chill Filtered Bourbon?

Most distilleries chill filter bourbon to remove char, cloudiness, or waste. Some single barrel bottles note this clearly, while others require checking. Buffalo Trace allows you to email photos of codes for confirmation. Non-chill filtered bottles taste rawer, richer, and more natural to drink. A non-chill filtered Old Weller Antique 107 is especially rewarding. The medallion confirms it, or Buffalo Trace will verify through email. This practice helps bourbon fans grow more informed and confident. More transparency benefits both distilleries and drinkers in the community.

Age and Ownership of Weller Bourbon

Old Weller Antique 107 usually ages between six and eight years total. Most single barrels confirmed by Buffalo Trace are seven to eight years. It explains why many bourbon fans respect and collect it. Since 1999, the Weller brand has been owned by Sazerac Company. 

A Closer Look at a Single Barrel

The nose reveals ripe raspberries, stewed apples, oak, and vanilla. Swirling adds alcohol heat, then softens to peppery and sweet notes. The palate feels slightly hotter than its 107 proof suggests at first. Oak and leather dominate, but later fruits like cherries appear. Sweet berries and cherries brighten the taste on the second sip. 

Chill Filtered vs Non-Chill Filtered Picks

This single barrel store pick outshines the standard shelf version. Oak and leather balance well, though the alcohol felt slightly hotter. Some Old Weller Antique 107 bottles are chill filtered, some not. I find the non-chill filtered picks richer and more rewarding. Across many barrels, I noticed NCF versions feel closer to raw bourbon. 

Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Info Sheet

The information sheet from Buffalo Trace included details about this barrel. Color shows a rich aged copper that shines warmly in the glass. The nose is full of ripe red raspberries, picked fresh in summer sunlight. These berries are unlike anything bought in stores, soft and deeply fragrant. I also found a soft sweetness, like stewed apples without spice or seasoning. A swirl in the glass increased alcohol notes, then settled back down. After this, oak, vanilla, and slight pepper came forward from the barrel. The nose was very pleasant and inviting, even with the proof strength.

Palate of the Single Barrel Pick

The first sip felt hotter than expected for a 107-proof bourbon. Oak and leather stood out strongly with plenty of barrel influence. On the second sip, more sweetness appeared with ripe red berries. Juicy cherries came through, though vanilla was almost completely absent. This profile showed more acidity than the nose first suggested. 

Finish of the Single Barrel Bourbon

The finish was smooth, perfect for its 107-proof strength. It warmed the chest gently, not overwhelming with alcohol burn. Oak, leather, and cherries lingered across the middle and back palate. The result was a medium-to-long finish with steady, balanced character. Overall, this single barrel deserved an 8.5 out of 10 rating. The aged barrel influence created oak and leather that were well balanced. Even though slightly hotter than expected, it stayed above average. This store pick clearly offered more quality than the standard shelf version.

Chill Filtered vs Non-Chill Filtered Bottles

Some Old Weller Antique 107 store picks are chill filtered, while others are not. I usually enjoy non-chill filtered bottles more for their raw, natural taste. Bypassing chill filtration often delivers deeper flavors and more texture. This makes the drinking experience more authentic and satisfying overall. Still, there are some excellent chill filtered bourbons that perform very well. However, NCF bottles of Old Weller Antique 107 truly shine for many drinkers. The flavor feels richer, less polished, and closer to the barrel itself. That small detail creates a memorable experience when enjoying a pour.

Thoughts on Old Weller Antique Store Picks

Over time, I have tried many different single barrel store picks of OWA. From my experience, the non-chill filtered versions are usually better. They give a rawer bourbon experience that fans deeply appreciate. It is one of the reasons OWA remains a favorite wheated bourbon. Sadly, store picks of Old Weller Antique 107 no longer sit on shelves. 

Why Old Weller Antique 107 Matters?

They vanish quickly, sometimes within just minutes of being released. This rarity makes them difficult to find, frustrating many bourbon fans. Still, they remain one of my favorite pours whenever I can find one. Maker’s Mark is a decent substitute when Old Weller Antique 107 is missing. But the 107 proof of OWA strikes the perfect balance of nose, palate, and finish. It carries enough age to taste like a truly high-caliber bourbon. That mix of proof and wheated mashbill keeps it one of my top bottles.

Conclusion:

Store picks of Old Weller Antique 107 rarely stay on shelves today. They disappear within minutes, showing how much fans value this bourbon. Maker’s Mark can be a fair substitute, but Antique 107 feels unmatched. It carries enough age, proof, and sweetness to taste like top quality.