Daniel Weller Bourbon Introduces New Experimental Line
Get ready to raise a glass to the Weller family legacy! While W.L. Weller’s name is synonymous with wheated bourbon, few have heard the tale of his grandfather, Daniel Weller. However, that will soon change with the latestBuffalo Trace Distillery Daniel Weller bourbon release. So what should we expect from Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat 1794 Bourbon? First, let’s start with his story, because every good bourbon has one.
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After fighting in the Revolutionary War,Daniel Weller packed up his family andled a flatboat expedition down the Ohio River, landing in Kentucky in 1794.Following in his father’s footsteps anddrawing inspiration from the barter system of early America, Daniel began distilling rye whiskey alongside his day job. Next, he started leasing out his still to other distillers – talk about hustle!
When Daniel passed awaywithout a will, his son Samuel had to buy back the equipment to keep the family’s tradition alive. That same still would eventually be passed on to William Larue. Would like like to have a family heirloom like that today?
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It’s that pioneering spirit that inspired the Daniel Weller experimental line – a collection of carefully crafted limited releases that pay homage to the family’s legacy. Keep an eye out for these rare gems, coming to a shelf near you every other year, thanks to Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley’s expert touch. Cheers to the Wellers!
This Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat Bourbon is here after the label popping up in early May. Now it’s featured on ourbourbon release calendar 2023 for the month of June. However, follow the calendar closely for all the upcoming releases! We’re covering everything you need to know about this limited bourbon release, from pricing to proof. Nonetheless, you may be asking what exactly is theBuffalo Trace Experimental Collection though?
What’s the Daniel Weller Experimental Line?
Daniel Weller, the trailblazer of the Weller family, has inspired an experimental line of bourbons exploring the effects of different wheat strains on taste. Launched in 2023, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s innovation and respect for whiskey tradition shine through in this exciting extension of the original wheated bourbon brand.
The first release of this special line is made with Emmer wheat, an ancient Egyptian grain that’s rarely used in modern-day stills. After nearly 12 years of aging, this whiskey is bottled at 94 proof, boasting enticing notes of fresh orange zest, nutty hazelnut, warm cinnamon, and rich caramel on the nose. Meanwhile, the palate offers a complex blend of bold oak, sweet honey, and orchard fruits, all leading to an oak-forward finish with touches of baking spice and leather.
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“We began this experiment to see how one of the original, long-forgotten wheat strains would taste in our wheated bourbon,” says Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Master Distiller. “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.”
– Harlen Wheatley
Buffalo Trace’s Master Distiller
Review & Tasting Notes
If you’re looking for a bourbon that has it all, Daniel Weller’s Emmer Wheat is the answer. This whiskey is a true all-star, boasting fruity, nutty, woody, spicy, and bitter notes that encapsulate the many flavors of great bourbon. But that’s not all – Weller’s entire lineup is known for its balanced flavors and wide appeal.
Emmer Wheat is no exception. Despite the longer aging process that brings out stronger spice and leather tones, the wheaty taste is the standout here. Many critics agree that wheat softens and sweetens bourbon without making it cloying. With Daniel Weller, you’ll be impressed with how the essence of wheat is present without being overpowering.
Daniel Weller has been aging for nearly 12 years now, which brings it within spitting distance of the awesome W.L. Weller 12 – also known as the “Black Label”. Secondly, this particular batch of Daniel Weller was distilled in the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Microstill which is a combination of pot and column stills. Buffalo Trace Master Distillery Wheatley is the genius who designed this unique still for small batch experiments.
This bourbon will be housed in a stunning translucent 750-millimeter bottle with a compass-shaped stopper, complete with the coordinates of Daniel Weller’s Kentucky farm in Botland, KY etched on its underside.
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QUICK OVERVIEW:
- Mashbill: emma wheat mash bill
- Age: 12 years in new charred white oak barrels
- MSRP: $500 (750ml)
- Availability: May nationwide; select retailers, bars, restaurants
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace
- City: Frankfort, KY
- Style: Straight bourbon whiskey
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
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Color
bright caramel
Nose
Aroma: Fresh and nutty, with notes of orange zest, hazelnut, cinnamon and caramel
Palate
Taste: Well-rounded blend of bold oak, sweet honey and orchard fruits
Finish
A complex oak-forward finish complemented by baking spice and leather notes
Barrel Details
new charred white oak casks
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Release Date & Availability
Bad news for fellow whiskey lovers: Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat Bourbon will be a rare find these days. However, if you know a place with a solid connection to Buffalo Trace or Sazerac who specializes in Weller, you might get lucky and find a pour or even a bottle. Just prepared to get creative, and look for a liquor store that has a unique selection beyond what you’d usually find.
Those750ml bottles should be hitting shelves at your best local liquor stores in June 2023. Moreover, select retailers and restaurants across the United States are expected to receive this distribution, in very limited quantities.
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Mashbill:
Ever wonder what makes Weller bourbon so highly coveted? It’s always been in the mash bill and Weller is a one-trick pony with only one secret recipe. However, Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat 1794 just changed the game. They use the same mash bill as other Weller products, but with one crucial twist: replacing the red winter wheat with emmer. This little-known ancient grain adds a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from the pack. Weller just got even more interesting with this innovative twist on their classic recipe.
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Proof & ABV:
The Emma Wheat release of this Buffalo Trace bourbon blend lands at 94 proof. That’s an equivalent of 47% ABV if you prefer the percentage alcohol by volume measurement.
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Daniel Weller Bourbon MSRP & Secondary Price
The MSRP of the latest Daniel Weller Bourbon release comes in at$500 for a 750 ml bottle, but good luck finding it at that price. With such a limited release, it’s gonna be tough to come across a bottle, and when you do, prepare to see an astronomical price point. It’s no longer a “poor man’s Pappy,” and enthusiasts are willing to pay big bucks. However, if you’re looking to add this specific expression to your whiskey collection, it’s gonna cost you a pretty penny. The suggested retail price is $500, but some are speculating that the price will reach $1000 for an expression that pops up every other year.
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The folks at Buffalo Trace are all about pushing the boundaries when it comes to whiskey, hence their motto, “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change.” They’re on a mission to create the world’s best whiskey, and they’re doing so by experimenting with all sorts of variables, including grains, aging, barrels, and more. When an experiment graduates and earns the Weller brand stamp of approval, you know it’s top-notch.
The team is planning to release a new expression in the series every other year, each with a unique mashbill and production process. Director of Wheatley is leading the charge to create the ultimate whiskey experience. So keep your eyes peeled for the latest release, and in the meantime, raise a glass to Buffalo Trace for continuing to push whiskey boundaries and creating some seriously delicious spirits. Cheers!
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