Buffalo Trace has announced the launch of Daniel Weller, an experimental line that explores the impact of different wheat strains on its bourbons. The line is named after the trailblazer of the Weller family, the grandfather of William Larue Weller, honouring the family distilling traditions he passed down to generations.
There are plans to release one limited expression from the experimental Daniel Weller line every other year, as and when master distiller Harlen Wheatley deems the bottle ready.
The inaugural release is made with Emmer wheat, an ancient Egyptian grain mainly used to make beer and bread and rarely seen in modern-day stills. Aged for nearly 12 years, Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat is bottled at 94 proof. The producers have described it as having aromas of orange zest and hazelnut, with notes of sweet honey and orchard fruits on the palate.
Wheatley commented on the new release: “We began this experiment to see how one of the original, long-forgotten wheat strains would taste in our wheated bourbon. 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.”
Each release in the series is packaged in a clear 750ml glass bottle with a unique compass stopper. Once opened, coordinates can be found underneath the stopper with the location of Daniel Weller’s farm.
The brand’s global brand director Andrew Duncan added: “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. 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 Emma Wheat will ship to select retailers, bars and restaurants across the United States as of June 2023 at an SRRP of $499.99.
There are plans to release one limited expression from the experimental Daniel Weller line every other year, as and when master distiller Harlen Wheatley deems the bottle ready.
The inaugural release is made with Emmer wheat, an ancient Egyptian grain mainly used to make beer and bread and rarely seen in modern-day stills. Aged for nearly 12 years, Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat is bottled at 94 proof. The producers have described it as having aromas of orange zest and hazelnut, with notes of sweet honey and orchard fruits on the palate.
Wheatley commented on the new release: “We began this experiment to see how one of the original, long-forgotten wheat strains would taste in our wheated bourbon. 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.”
Each release in the series is packaged in a clear 750ml glass bottle with a unique compass stopper. Once opened, coordinates can be found underneath the stopper with the location of Daniel Weller’s farm.
The brand’s global brand director Andrew Duncan added: “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. 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 Emma Wheat will ship to select retailers, bars and restaurants across the United States as of June 2023 at an SRRP of $499.99.
