Weller Just Broke the Bourbon Rulebook with this new $550 Release
Most bourbon distillers use the same basic ingredients – corn, malted barley and rye. It’s the proportions of each grain that generally varies from brand to brand. There are a few notable wheated exceptions, including Maker’s Mark and Old Ftzgerald, that substitute wheat instead of rye in their mash bills.
But Weller has just released a completely different paradigm for making bourbon. The brand generally uses corn, malted barley and wheat, but for its latest innovative whiskey it used ancient grain spelt instead of rye. Yes, you read that right, spelt. It’s not as crazy as it sounds, since spelt is actually a species of wheat. According to the brand the point of this experiment was to showcase the spelt’s signature nutty flavor.
Courtesy Buffalo Trace
“Rather than leaning on barrel innovation, we chose to strip the process back and let the wheat speak for itself,” says Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery, in a prepared statement. “By avoiding specialized barrel treatments and techniques, we were able to focus on how spelt wheat’s natural sweetness and distinct character influence the Weller mash bill. Its nuanced profile makes it ideal for experiments where the grain’s personality is meant to shine.”
In 2023, the brand introduced the first experimental wheat bourbon in its Daniel Weller series. That whiskey was made with corn, malted barley and ancient grain Emmer wheat from Egypt. It was bottled at 94 proof and aged for 12 years. The series is named for Daniel Weller who was William Larue Weller’s grandfather and owned a small distillery at the turn of the 19th century in Kentucky.
Tasting Notes for Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat Bourbon
According to Buffalo Trace, the spelt’s nutty character comes through in the whiskey’s nose as well as baking spices, fruit aromas and a bit of leather. On the palate, there is a supposed tea-like note as well as familiar bourbon flavors of baking spices and dried fruit.
Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat Bourbon Price & Availability
Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat is bottled at 94 proof and has a suggested retail price of $550. (Keep in mind that the 2023 release in this series now sells for up to $2,900.) The bourbon is starting to roll out now to limited retailers across the United States.