Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces Weller 12 Raffles - Happening on September 19

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the raffling of 684 bottles of Weller 12 Year happening at various locations across the state on September 19th (list below). Raffle entries will be collected from 6pm until 7:30pm. At that time, the winners will be announced. Winners must be present to win and contain a valid ID.

Weller 12 year is one of the most sought after brands in Ohio with the rumor being that Weller 12 is used to create what is called a Poor Man's Pappy, that can mimic the taste at a fraction of the price. These bottles will sell for $39.99 + tax to the lucky winners.

Like the earlier King of Kentucky raffle, the tasting notes are ridiculously long and equally insane. Weller 12 is supposed to offer all of the following:

Caramel runs through this like a river, with eddies of vanilla, mint, toast, mocha, and pancake syrup. It has a nice but not overpowering char and oak, a little cinnamon, raspberry, blackberry, and raisin. 

How is pancake syrup different than regular syrup and why did I have to look up what eddies meant (a circular movement of water, counter to a main current, causing a small whirlpool.) I'm not sure how circular movements of water equate to a bourbon flavor, but Buffalo Trace's marketing department is really working hard and earning their salary.

My Take

Buffalo Trace also does a great job of limiting availability to increase demand. Weller 12 is probably their best example of this in practice.

For this raffle, expect huge crowds... and when I mean huge, friend of the site Matty G. went to last years raffle of Weller 12 and estimated over 1000 people looking to score a bottle. Last year the state had 300 bottles so it's good to see that they have more than doubled the allotment. One other interesting note from the last Weller 12 raffle is the price... in 2018, the state sold the bottles for $28 + tax... this year the price has jumped 43% to $39.99 + tax.

With how sought after Weller 12 is, this is something worth going to and giving it a shot...  If you do go to any of the locations on the 19th, drop a note in the comments with your experiences.

Locations (alphabetical by city)

Jungle Jim's International Market
5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield
177 Bottles

Walt Churchill's Market
3320 Briarfield Boulevard, Maumee
117 bottles

Giant Eagle
15919 Pearl Road, Strongsville
165 bottles

Giant Eagle
3061 Kingsdale Center, Upper Arlington
225 Bottles


Source: OHLQ