Bourbon Review · Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
William Larue Weller
Uncut, Unfiltered Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon — Annual Release
⚑ Placeholder review — tasting notes to be updated after the pour.
The Story
William Larue Weller is the wheated bourbon counterpart to George T. Stagg in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — same pedigree, same annual release format, same impossible-to-find status, but built on a wheat-forward mashbill that gives it a dramatically different character. Named after the 19th-century distiller who pioneered the use of wheat as a secondary grain, WLW is silky, lush, and rich in a way that high-rye bourbons simply can't replicate. It's consistently one of the highest-rated bourbons released each fall, and for good reason.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Soft and enveloping despite the proof — caramel, honey, fresh baked bread, and ripe stone fruit lead. Underneath there's vanilla, toasted oak, and a faint floral quality that sets wheated bourbons apart. Less aggressive on the nose than Stagg, more inviting.
Palate
Rich and coating with a silky mouthfeel that's extraordinary for the proof. The wheat shows clearly: it's sweeter and softer than a high-rye, with layers of butterscotch, dried apricot, cinnamon, and a gentle oak structure that never bullies the other flavors. Water brings out even more complexity — do not skip this step.
Finish
Long, warm, and gentle. The sweetness lingers with dried fruit and vanilla holding on well past the sip. A finish that rewards patience — it keeps developing as it fades.