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Everything you need to know about W.L Weller Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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W.L. Weller Antique Original 107 Single Barrel Fortnum Gold Top£289.93 Inc VAT -
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Wheated Bourbon 90 Proof 37.5cl£89.99 Inc VAT -
W.L. Weller 8 Year Old CYPB Bourbon 75 Proof£479.98 Inc VAT -
W.L. Weller Wheated Bourbon 114 Full Proof 75cl£469.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
W.L Weller, Kentucky Region, USA. Founded in 2015.
W.L. Weller: Kentucky Wheated Bourbon with a Cult Following
W.L. Weller is one of those bourbon names that quietly built a reputation and then, almost overnight, became hard to find. It’s a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, and it’s known for one key difference: it’s a wheated bourbon.
Most bourbons use rye as the secondary grain in the mash bill. Weller swaps rye for wheat. That small change softens the spice and leans the whisky toward sweetness and roundness. The result is smoother, creamier, and often described as more approachable — though some expressions still carry serious proof and depth.
The brand dates back to the 19th century and was named after William Larue Weller, a bourbon merchant who helped popularise wheated whiskey in America. Today, Weller is closely linked with premium bourbon circles, partly because of its shared mash bill heritage with some very famous, high-end releases from the same distillery.
For UK drinkers exploring beyond standard bourbon, Weller offers softness without losing structure.
Taste Profile
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 |
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Sweet |
Oaky / Woody | Rich / Chocolatey |
Weller is known for a smooth, sweet, and rounded bourbon style, with less sharp spice than rye-based mash bills.
Expect caramel and vanilla upfront, followed by soft wheat sweetness and structured oak. Higher-proof versions add deeper toffee and richer wood tones without becoming aggressive.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Caramel / Toffee |
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Vanilla |
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Honey |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
Popular W.L. Weller Bottles
Weller has several core expressions, each with its own following.
| Whisky | Style | What You’ll Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Weller Special Reserve | Wheated Bourbon | Soft caramel, honey, easy finish |
| Weller Antique 107 | Higher Proof Bourbon | Rich sweetness, deeper oak |
| Weller 12 Year Old | Aged Wheated Bourbon | Polished wood, dark caramel |
| Weller Full Proof | Barrel Strength Bourbon | Intense flavour, bold oak |
| William Larue Weller | Limited Release | Deep complexity, collector status |
The different age statements and proof levels give you a clear sense of how the same mash bill evolves.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: W.L Weller
Address: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
 Open in maps |
 https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ |
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Visitor Centre & Opening Times
While Weller itself does not have a dedicated visitor centre, Buffalo Trace Distillery offers:
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Guided distillery tours
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Tasting experiences
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Gift shop and limited bottle releases
Opening times generally run:
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Monday – Saturday: Morning to late afternoon
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Sunday: Reduced hours
Ownership & Brand History
W.L. Weller has remained part of the Buffalo Trace family of brands for decades.
Ownership Timeline:
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19th Century: Brand established by William Larue Weller
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20th Century: Integrated into larger Kentucky distilling operations
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Present: Owned by Buffalo Trace Distillery under the Sazerac portfolio
The mash bill and wheated style have stayed consistent, which is a big reason the brand has gained loyalty.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
W. L. Weller is a historic Kentucky bourbon brand named after William Larue Weller, a 19th-century whiskey merchant often associated with popularising the use of wheat instead of rye in bourbon mash bills.
The brand has become one of the most sought-after modern bourbons, partly due to its connection with the wheated bourbon style and comparisons to the highly collectible Pappy Van Winkle range, which is produced at the same distillery.
Weller is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Production
- Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Mash Bill: Wheated bourbon (corn, wheat, malted barley)
- Distillation: Column still with doubler
- Barrels: New charred American oak
Replacing rye with wheat creates a softer and sweeter flavour profile.
Whisky Style
Weller bourbons typically show:
- Soft caramel and vanilla
- Honey sweetness
- Rounded oak influence
- Gentle baking spice
- Smooth, full-bodied finish
Compared with rye-based bourbons, the profile is generally softer and less spice-forward.
Key Expressions
- Weller Special Reserve – Entry-level wheated bourbon
- Weller Antique 107 – Higher proof expression
- Weller 12 Year Old – Mature wheated bourbon
- Weller Full Proof – Barrel entry proof bottling
- William Larue Weller – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection release
The Antique 107 and 12 Year Old are especially well known among enthusiasts.
Significance
Weller is one of the defining brands in the modern wheated bourbon category.
Its rise in popularity reflects broader trends in premium bourbon collecting, allocation culture, and demand for softer, sweeter bourbon styles associated with Buffalo Trace production.
W.L Weller Whisky to Buy
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