Buffalo Trace Distillery · Frankfort, Kentucky
W.L. Weller
90.0 – 140.2 Proof · 12 Year to 18 Year & BTAC Barrel Strength Allocations
W.L. Weller is Buffalo Trace Distillery's wheated bourbon brand: a Kentucky straight bourbon recipe that uses wheat, rather than rye, as the secondary grain after corn. The Midnight Whiskey vault holds the standard Weller range from Antique 107 to Full Proof, the age-stated 12 Year, C.Y.P.B., the 18-year Weller wheat whiskey, and every barrel-proof William Larue Weller release from 2005 through 2025. Both tables below give each bottling's proof and ABV and link straight to its page.
The Elemental Distinction
Wheated Mash Bill Platform: Soft red winter wheat replaces rye as the secondary grain beside Kentucky corn and malted barley, producing a sweeter, rounder whiskey profile.
Historic Kentucky Heritage: Named in honor of William Larue Weller (born 1825), the legendary Louisville distiller credited with pioneering wheated bourbon in 1849.
Fixed-Proof Core Portfolio: Flagship expressions crafted at precise proof points, including Antique 107 (107 Proof), 12 Year (90 Proof), Full Proof (114 Proof), Single Barrel (97 Proof), and C.Y.P.B. (95 Proof).
William Larue Weller BTAC Allocations: The uncut, unfiltered barrel-strength crown jewel of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, bottled annually from 2005 to 2025.
Ultra-Rare Bicentennial Expressions: Featuring the release of Weller 18 Year Old Straight Wheat Whiskey, crafted in a 700 mL decanter for W.L. Weller's 200th birthday.
Buffalo Trace Distillery & Wheated Heritage
Frankfort Cask-Strength & Fixed-Proof Wheated LegacyDistilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery (DSP-KY-113) in Frankfort, Kentucky, W.L. Weller represents the benchmark for wheated American whiskey. By substituting wheat for rye, the mash bill yields a softer, fruit-forward palate with less peppery bite and enhanced caramel sweetness. From daily sipping classics to rare, highly allocated Antique Collection vintages, the Weller lineup showcases the full aging potential of wheated bourbon across every rickhouse floor.
Craftsmanship & Cask Architecture
Wheated Mash & Multi-Warehouse AgingNorth Dakota Wheat Core
Distilled from Kentucky corn, North Dakota soft red winter wheat, and malted barley for a velvety, approachable grain profile.
Multi-Warehouse Aging
Matured across Buffalo Trace's historic rickhouses (Warehouses C, D, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q), where upper floors drive proof concentration and lower floors foster gentler oak extraction.
Fixed Proof & Barrel Strength
Spanning entry-level 90-proof bottlings up to hazmat-level 140.2-proof uncut barrel selections.
#4 Heavy Char White Oak
Aged in new 53-gallon American white oak barrels charred for 55 seconds, imparting deep vanilla, oak spice, and caramel notes.
The Standard Range
| W.L. Weller Antique 107 | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) | No age statement |
| W.L. Weller 12 Year Old | 90 proof (45.0% ABV) | 12-year age statement |
| W.L. Weller Single Barrel | 97 proof (48.5% ABV) | Single barrel; added to the line in 2020 |
| W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | Consumer-survey recipe; aged on highest floors |
| W.L. Weller Full Proof | 114 proof (57.0% ABV) | Bottled at barrel-entry proof; non-chill filtered |
| Weller 18 Year Old | 90 proof (45.0% ABV) | Straight wheat whiskey; 18 years; 700 mL decanter |
William Larue Weller, Year by Year
| William Larue Weller 2025 | 129.0 proof (64.5% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2024 | 125.8 proof (62.9% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2023 | 133.6 proof (66.8% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2022 | 124.7 proof (62.35% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2021 | 125.3 proof (62.65% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2020 | 134.5 proof (67.25% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2019 | 128.0 proof (64.0% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2018 | 125.7 proof (62.85% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2017 | 128.2 proof (64.1% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2016 | 135.4 proof (67.7% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2015 | 134.6 proof (67.3% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2014 | 140.2 proof (70.1% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2013 | 136.2 proof (68.1% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2012 | 123.4 proof (61.7% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2011 | 133.5 proof (66.75% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2010 | 126.6 proof (63.3% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2009 | 134.8 proof (67.4% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2008 | 125.3 proof (62.65% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2007 | 117.9 proof (58.95% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2006 | 129.9 proof (64.95% ABV) |
| William Larue Weller 2005 | 121.9 proof (60.95% ABV) |
Sensory Profile & Strategy
Distillery Tasting NotesSensory Profile
Nose: Rich caramel, toasted vanilla bean, butterscotch, dried figs, and warm oak spice.
Palate: Viscous and sweet; brown sugar crumble, dark cherry, toasted shortbread, cinnamon, and subtle leather.
Finish: Long, warming, and velvety; lingering clove, oak tannins, dark chocolate, and maple syrup.
† Official tasting profile notes provided directly by distillery disclosures.
Strategic Position
W.L. Weller serves as the cornerstone for wheated bourbon collectors worldwide. Explore flagship expressions such as Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 Year Old, Weller Full Proof, and Weller C.Y.P.B., alongside ultra-allocated bottles like Weller 18 Year Wheat Whiskey and the uncut William Larue Weller 2025 Release in Midnight Whiskey's vault.
Collector Note & Index
Vault ProvenanceComplete Antique Collection Vault
Housing all 21 annual William Larue Weller releases from the original 2005 barrel-proof reintroduction through 2025.
Core Flagship Disclosures
Detailed specifications and provenance records for every fixed-proof and single-barrel Weller iteration.
Evaluated strictly on verified liquid specifications, physical inspects, and primary distillery disclosures.
- Distillery
- Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Series Position
- Wheated Bourbon Flagship & BTAC Allocation
- Category
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof / ABV
- 90.0 – 140.2 Proof (45.0% – 70.1% ABV)
- Age Statement
- NAS, 12 Year, 18 Year & 12+ Year BTAC Vintages
- Format
- 750 mL / 700 mL
Explore the complete Whiskey collection in Midnight Whiskey's vault.
Technical Specifications
| PRODUCER / DISTILLERY | Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky (Sazerac Company) |
| COLLECTION | W.L. Weller Wheated Bourbon Collection |
| CATEGORY | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey & Straight Wheat Whiskey |
| AGE AT BOTTLING | NAS to 18 Years (Varies by expression/release) |
| PROOF / ABV | 90.0 Proof – 140.2 Proof (45.0% – 70.1% ABV) |
| BARREL ENTRY PROOF | 114 Proof |
| GRAIN RECIPE | Kentucky Corn, Soft Red Winter Wheat, Distiller's Malted Barley |
| WAREHOUSE / FLOORS | Warehouses C, D, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q (Floors 1–9) |
| REGION | Frankfort, Kentucky, USA |
| FORMAT | 750 mL (700 mL for Weller 18 Year) |
| SKU | WELLER-COLLECTION-HUB |
† Specifications verified directly from physical bottle inspects and producer disclosures.
Records & Assurance
Production Methodology
Buffalo Trace mills the wheated recipe using soft red winter wheat in place of rye, cooking at high temperatures with Kentucky limestone water before sour mash fermentation in carbon steel. Distillation occurs in beer stills and doublers to 130 proof, entering new charred American white oak barrels at 114 proof. Maturation occurs across multi-story rickhouses, producing a velvety, smooth, caramel-forward flavor profile.
Authentication & Vault Preservation
Every bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see our editorial and authentication standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes W.L. Weller bourbon unique?
W.L. Weller replaces rye with soft red winter wheat as the secondary grain in its mash bill, giving the bourbon a softer, rounder, and sweeter flavor profile with less peppery bite.
What is the difference between Weller Full Proof and William Larue Weller?
Weller Full Proof is bottled at a fixed 114 proof (its original barrel-entry strength), whereas William Larue Weller is an uncut, unfiltered annual release in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottled at natural barrel strength (typically 121–140+ proof).
How old is W.L. Weller bourbon?
Ages vary by expression: Weller Antique 107 and Special Reserve are non-age-stated (typically 6–8 years), Weller 12 Year is aged 12 years, Weller 18 Year is aged 18 years, and William Larue Weller BTAC releases generally age between 12 and 15 years.