WL Weller

Weller is a bourbon brand rather than a distillery in its own right. It is named after William Larue Weller, a 19th century Louisville whiskey man credited with popularising bourbon made with wheat instead of rye. Today the brand belongs to the Sazerac Company and is distilled and bottled at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

All Weller bourbons use a wheated mash bill, which gives a softer, rounder and often sweeter profile than rye-based bourbons. It shares this style with the famous Pappy Van Winkle bourbons, also made at Buffalo Trace, which is one reason Weller is in high demand and often hard to find at retail price.

The range runs from Weller Special Reserve through Weller Antique 107, bottled at 107 proof, the Weller 12 Year Old and Weller Full Proof, which also appears as single barrel selections for retailers and clubs. At the top sits William Larue Weller, an annual release in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, bottled uncut and unfiltered at barrel proof. Our catalogue lists several vintages of it, so compare bottling years when buying.