Weller 18 Year Old Limited Edition Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025) 70cl
A rare addition to any Buffalo Trace Collector's line up. Limited stocks available!
W.L. Weller 18 Year Straight Wheat Whiskey is a celebration of the legendary William Larue Weller's ground-breaking contributions to the whiskey world. Known for replacing rye with wheat in the mash bill, Weller set a new standard in bourbon crafting. This exceptional release, aged for 18 years, is the first age-stated wheat whiskey in the Weller lineup, offering a rare and sophisticated experience for whiskey enthusiasts.
Weller 18 Year Old: As the oldest age stated whiskey in the Weller portfolio, Weller 18 Year Old brings exceptional grace and depth as an ultra-aged , 90-proof wheat whiskey. This new release stands as a testament to the Distillery’s dedication to innovation, demonstrating that Kentucky-aged whiskey can mature beautifully well beyond more commonly seen age statements.
“Weller 18 Year Old is the culmination of curiosity, tradition and time,” said Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “The softness of the wheat has evolved into something rich and wonderfully expressive. We are extremely proud of the resulting whiskey, which showcases the versatility and potential of a wheat-forward mashbill.”
TASTING NOTES
Nose: The nose is polished and mature from the first swirl. What stood out was the calm confidence of the aroma—there’s no brash ethanol note at 50% ABV. I got a core of smooth vanilla and old oak, followed by honeyed cereal, a touch of tobacco leaf, and a muted cocoa powder scent. The oak isn't overly sharp, but it's certainly present in a way that's more structured than sweet. With time in the glass, cinnamon and dried fruits—apricot and date, mainly—creep in subtly. It’s warm and unhurried.
Palate: On the palate, the age becomes even clearer. It's very well integrated, with polished oak up front and a syrupy texture that almost clings to the tongue. I expected more tannic bite, but it's surprisingly mellow given the age. The wheat smooths everything out, wrapping bold flavors like burnt sugar, dark toffee, and baking spices in a velvety coat. Mid-palate, there's a refined leathery depth and black tea dryness, which steers it into more contemplative territory. Despite the years, it retains a level of balance—not too woody, not overly sweet.
Finish: The finish is stretched out and layered. There's lingering spice—cardamom and nutmeg in particular—with a waxy vanilla tone and aged leather note that hangs around longer than I anticipated. Despite its warmth, the finish doesn’t overwhelm but leaves a dry, stately echo of oak and caramel. After a few minutes, I noticed a soft corn sweetness reemerge, framing the experience with a gentle reminder of its roots.
About Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, owned by the Sazerac Company. It has historically been known by several names, including the George T. Stagg Distillery and the Old Fashioned Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999. The company claims the distillery is the oldest continuously-operating distillery in the United States. The company says the name "Buffalo Trace" refers to an ancient buffalo crossing on the banks of the Kentucky River in Franklin County, Kentucky. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992.
Weller is produced by the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery, and the brand has long been linked to wheated bourbon lineage—famously associated with Pappy Van Winkle due to their shared mash bill. The Weller 18 represents the oldest age statement in the lineup to date, and it's non-chill-filtered and bottled at 50% ABV. This aging pushes far beyond what most wheated bourbons ever reach.
Typically, wheated bourbons soften with age rather than becoming more aggressive, but there's always a risk of over-oaking past the 15-year mark. Here, it feels like the distillery was careful in their barrel selections to avoid that pitfall. It's also worth noting that this release comes alongside other premium expressions signaling Buffalo Trace’s ongoing commitment to expanding the range—with more age and complexity than we've seen in past Weller bottlings.
*Please allow 7 days for delivery
45% ABV
70cl
