William Larue Weller 2019

128 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. Distilled in winter 2007 and matured in Warehouse I. The 2019 William Larue Weller — the wheated bourbon of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

William Larue Weller is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — and the only wheated bourbon in the group. Where George T. Stagg uses a high-rye mashbill and delivers bold spice and power, Weller substitutes wheat for rye, producing a dramatically different character at cask strength: softer, rounder, with more fruit and caramel even at this proof level.

The 2019 edition was distilled in winter 2007 and matured in Warehouse I at Buffalo Trace. It arrived at 128 proof — bottled directly from the barrel without dilution or filtration, exactly as it existed in the cask. It sells out within hours of release annually and commands significant premiums on the secondary market. For collectors of wheated bourbon, it is the annual benchmark.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, rich amber with exceptional legs.
• Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, toasted oak, and a warm honeyed sweetness. More fruit-forward than the rye-heavy BTAC releases.
• Palate: Smooth and full-bodied despite the proof — toffee, dark chocolate, dried cherry, baking spice, and a silky wheat grain sweetness that sets it apart from any rye-mashbill bourbon at this level.
• Finish: Long and warming — caramel, vanilla, and oak tapering into a clean, satisfying close.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Distilled: Winter 2007
• Warehouse: Warehouse I
• Proof: 128 (64% ABV)
• Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2019 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

Explore the full William Larue Weller collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2019 William Larue Weller differ from the 2017? Both are uncut wheated bourbons from the BTAC, but each vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2019 was distilled in winter 2007 and matured in Warehouse I; the 2017 came in at 128.2 proof. Vintage variation is real and drives much of the collectability of the series.
• How does William Larue Weller relate to Pappy Van Winkle? Both use the same wheated mashbill tracing back to W.L. Weller & Sons and Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Buffalo Trace has produced both the W.L. Weller line and the Van Winkle bourbons using the same foundational recipe since 2002.
• Why is William Larue Weller so hard to find? The BTAC is produced in limited quantities annually and allocated to retailers across the country. Demand has dramatically outpaced supply for years. Retail allocations sell out immediately upon arrival.
• Should I add water to William Larue Weller? Yes — start neat, then add a few drops of still water to open the nose and soften the proof. The wheated mashbill means the fruit and vanilla notes become more expressive with a small amount of dilution.