So here is Kentucky's best kept secret. The Weller brand is one of the most historically important in Bourbon history. Before prohibition, Weller & Sons was a prominent distributor of whiskey. The details are a bit sketchy, but by the end of prohibition a gentlemen names J.P. Van Winkle is running Weller. He was a salesmen for the company and soon after repeal, Weller merges with Stitzel and begins constructing a distillery in Shively, Southwest of Louisville. The whiskey produced there would become legendary, bottled under the Old Fitzegerald label. Today, the distillery at Shively is closed, but the brand and the legacy live on through the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfurt. This wheated bourbon his from the same stocks and warehouses that provide juice for the wildly popular Van Winkle 12 year. In other words for $25.99, this is one of the best values in bourbon period and offers any person a glimpse into the most hyped and hard to find bourbon on the planet, Pappy Van Winkle.

With Pappy Van Winkle completely out of the question at K&L (we get about 6 bottles a year), it's nice to know that Weller 12 is still available and at a killer price. The PVW whiskies are really just different versions of Weller 12 in different bottles. Both are made at Buffalo Trace distillery from the exact same wheated formula (using corn and wheat, rather than corn and rye). The only difference is that the Van Winkles pick their own casks. What's leftover goes into the Weller whiskies. The 12 year is the oldest and richest of the three selections and is one of the best kept secrets in the industry. Don't tell too many people about it!