W. L. Weller

W.L. Weller is the original wheated bourbon — the product line at Buffalo Trace Distillery that replaced rye with wheat as the secondary grain in the bourbon mashbill, producing a softer, sweeter, and more approachable character than traditional high-rye bourbons. The wheated recipe was developed by William Larue Weller and carried forward by the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, eventually landing at Buffalo Trace where it remains one of the most allocated and sought-after bourbon lineups in American whiskey.

The Weller–Pappy Van Winkle Connection

Weller and Pappy Van Winkle share the same wheated mashbill — both are produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery from the same wheat-forward recipe. The difference is age and allocation tier: Pappy Van Winkle expressions are aged longer (10–23 years) and released in far smaller quantities through a separate annual allocation. Because Weller uses the same flavor DNA as Pappy at a fraction of the price and availability, it has become the most-searched wheated bourbon alternative and one of the most allocated collections in everyday retail.

This connection is why Weller Special Reserve — a no-age-statement 90 proof bourbon — trades well above its suggested retail price. The wheated mashbill produces a flavor profile that Pappy collectors recognize and seek out at every tier.

Special Reserve — 90 proof

The entry point to the Weller lineup and the most widely distributed expression — a no-age-statement wheated bourbon with a soft, approachable profile of vanilla, caramel, and light oak. Known informally as “Weller Green” for its label color, the Special Reserve is the bottle most commonly found at retail and the natural starting point for anyone new to the wheated bourbon style. Available in 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L formats.

Antique 107 — 107 proof

Bottled at 107 proof with no age statement, the Antique 107 delivers significantly more intensity than the Special Reserve — vanilla, toffee, baking spice, and a warm oak finish with more heat and complexity from the additional proof. One of the most popular Weller expressions and a staple of the allocated bourbon hunt. Available in 750ml and 1L formats.

12 Year — 90 proof

The first age-stated expression in the standard Weller lineup, aged a minimum of 12 years at 90 proof. Extended time in barrel produces deep caramel, dried fruit, oak, and dark chocolate that the younger expressions can’t match. Double Gold winner at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Available in 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L formats.

Full Proof — 114 proof

Bottled at 114 proof — the same proof at which the spirit entered the barrel — meaning no water is added before bottling. The Full Proof preserves the concentrated wheated character at its most intense: rich vanilla, dark caramel, toasted oak, and warm baking spice. One of the most collectible standard Weller releases.

Single Barrel — 97 proof

Drawn from individual barrels rather than a mingled batch, each bottle of Weller Single Barrel reflects the unique character of a single aging vessel. The 97 proof bottling delivers a more nuanced, complex expression than the standard lineup — fruit-forward with layered oak and spice that varies subtly by barrel.

C.Y.P.B. (Craft Your Personal Blend) — 95 proof

An annual limited release originally created as a private barrel selection program for consumers. The CYPB is a hand-selected single barrel expression bottled at 95 proof — one of the rarest standard Weller releases and among the most allocated bottles in the lineup each year.

18 Year Straight Wheat Whiskey

The oldest age-statement Weller expression and a significant departure from the standard lineup: designated as Straight Wheat Whiskey rather than bourbon, the 18 Year uses wheat as the primary grain rather than corn. Extraordinarily rare, with an 18-year aging statement that produces deep complexity unavailable anywhere else in the Weller family. One of the most collectible wheated whiskey expressions produced at Buffalo Trace.

Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat

Buffalo Trace’s most innovative Weller-family expression — Daniel Weller uses emmer wheat, an ancient grain variety, as the secondary grain in a departure from the standard wheated mashbill. An ultra-rare, experimental expression that represents the future direction of the Weller program and is among the most sought-after limited releases from Buffalo Trace.

Wooden Cork Private Barrel Selections

Wooden Cork regularly selects private single barrel picks from the Weller lineup — primarily Full Proof and Antique 107 expressions chosen for exceptional character, often bottled non-chill filtered for added depth and texture. Recent selections have included collaborations with Freddie Johnson — Bourbon Hall of Famer and Buffalo Trace ambassador — whose palate and direct distillery access produce picks unavailable anywhere else. Sister barrel bundles pairing two picks from the same aging rick are also released periodically. Wooden Cork barrel picks sell quickly and in limited quantities — browse the collection above for current availability.

Vintage & Collector Expressions

Wooden Cork carries a rotating selection of vintage and collector-grade Weller expressions that predate or sit outside the current standard lineup.

Old Weller Antique 107 Vintage Squat Bottles

Pre-2010 Old Weller Antique bottlings in the distinctive squat bottle format — including Bernheim distillate expressions from 2004 and 2007, and the 1979 Gold Vein label. These vintage bottlings represent the Antique 107 recipe from before Buffalo Trace’s wheated program became the most allocated category in bourbon retail. Available in 750ml and 1-liter formats where stock permits.

Millennium Whiskey

Produced to commemorate the year 2000, the W.L. Weller Millennium Whiskey is one of the rarest commemorative bottlings in the Weller family — a vintage wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace bottled at the turn of the century with significant collector value.

Antique Reserve 110 Proof 10 Year

A vintage expression of the Weller Antique program at 110 proof and a stated 10-year age — predating the current no-age-statement Antique 107 and representing the wheated recipe at a different era of Buffalo Trace’s production.

Weller × Cohiba Annual Collaboration

Each year, W.L. Weller and Cohiba release a limited collaboration bringing together two of the most recognized names in American luxury — wheated bourbon and premium cigars. The annual Weller by Cohiba release includes limited edition cigars (Toro format), custom ashtrays, humidor sets, and travel gift sets, making it the only bourbon-branded cigar collaboration of its kind at this level. The current year’s release is available at Wooden Cork while supplies last.

• All Bourbon
• Pappy Van Winkle
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Collection
• William Larue Weller (BTAC)
• Rare & Allocated Bottles
• Bourbon Gifts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Weller and Pappy Van Winkle?

Weller and Pappy Van Winkle share the same wheated mashbill — both are produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery using wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye. The key differences are age and allocation: Pappy Van Winkle expressions are aged 10–23 years and released in extremely limited quantities, while Weller expressions range from no age statement through 18 years and receive wider (though still allocated) distribution.

What does “wheated bourbon” mean?

A wheated bourbon replaces rye with wheat as the secondary grain in the bourbon mashbill. Where high-rye bourbons produce spice, dryness, and pepper, wheated bourbons like Weller produce a softer, sweeter, more approachable profile with caramel, vanilla, and gentle fruit. The wheated style is generally considered easier to drink neat and ages very gracefully over long periods.

What is the Weller lineup in order from most to least available?

From most to least available: Special Reserve (widest distribution), Antique 107, 12 Year, Full Proof, Single Barrel, CYPB (annual limited), 18 Year Straight Wheat Whiskey (extremely rare), Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (ultra-rare experimental). Allocation and secondary market pricing increase significantly from Special Reserve upward.

Where can I buy Weller bourbon online?

Wooden Cork carries the full W.L. Weller lineup — Special Reserve, Antique 107, 12 Year, Full Proof, Single Barrel, and CYPB — along with private barrel picks and rare vintage expressions, with fast nationwide shipping and adult-signature delivery.

What proof is Weller Full Proof and why is it called that?

Weller Full Proof is bottled at 114 proof — the same proof at which the spirit was placed into the barrel for aging. “Full Proof” means no water is added before bottling, so what comes out of the bottle is the same proof that went into the barrel. This preserves the concentrated wheated character at its most intense.

What is Weller CYPB?

C.Y.P.B. stands for Craft Your Personal Blend — originally a consumer barrel selection program that became an annual limited release bottled at 95 proof. CYPB is one of the rarest standard Weller expressions and among the most allocated bottles in the lineup each year.

What is the Weller 18 Year?

The W.L. Weller 18 Year is the oldest age-statement expression in the Weller family and is classified as Straight Wheat Whiskey rather than bourbon — wheat is the primary grain rather than corn. It is extremely rare, produced in very limited quantities, and carries an 18-year aging statement that makes it one of the most collectible wheated whiskey expressions from Buffalo Trace.