Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled a new addition to its famed line of W.L. Weller whiskeys, the Daniel Weller experimental wheated bourbon range. The new line explores the impact of different strains of wheat on its storied bourbons. It honors Daniel Weller – grandfather to William Larue Weller – and the family distilling traditions he passed down to the generations that followed him.
The inaugural Daniel Weller release is made with Emmer wheat, an ancient Egyptian grain that’s rarely seen in modern-day stills and mainly used to make beer and bread. Archaeologists have found evidence of Emmer wheat domestication over 6,000 years ago, and its symbol is etched into the Egyptian pyramids. Aged for nearly 12 years and bottled at 94 proof, it offers fresh and nutty aromas with notes of orange zest, hazelnut, cinnamon, and caramel. The well-rounded palate features a blend of bold oak, sweet honey, and orchard fruits with a complex oak-forward finish complemented by baking spice and leather notes.
“We began this experiment to see how one of the original, long-forgotten wheat strains would taste in our wheated bourbon,” says Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller. “We’ve found it offers just a slightly – yet delightfully – different taste that brings us into a new bourbon territory. It will taste like Weller, but with distinct, unique notes that make it stand apart from the other Weller whiskies we’ve released to date.”
The new whiskey was distilled in the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Microstill, a combination pot and column still that Harlen spent two years custom-designing, which will allow the team to experiment with very small batches without interrupting main production capabilities.
“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we are appreciative that many of our brands have found a place in whiskey culture and we continue to invest in making more whiskey to meet the demand. However, our motto is ‘Honor Tradition, Embrace Change’ because we believe the world’s best whiskey has not yet been created,” says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director for Buffalo Trace Distillery. “We will continue to experiment with multiple variables that affect the final taste profile – grains, techniques, aging, barrels, and more – in pursuit of that ultimate goal. When an experiment ‘graduates’ to be released under a beloved brand like Weller, it’s a reflection of our confidence in the whiskey.”
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat will be rolling out in limited quantities to its distributor network and is priced at $499.99 per 750ml bottle. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.