Buffalo Trace Releases Weller Wheated Rarities
Buffalo Trace Distillery takes wheated whiskey to the next level with the releases of the second edition of Weller Millennium and Weller 18 Year Old, the brand’s oldest age statement to date.Following the inaugural Weller Millennium in May 2024, this second edition presents a newly-crafted blend of vintage straight wheated bourbon and wheat whiskeys. Like its predecessor, each component was distilled at Buffalo Trace in 2001, 2003 and 2006 and set aside for the sole purpose of creating this blend in tribute to William Larue Weller.“Weller Millenium was crafted to feature some of the first whiskeys distilled in the new millennium amid a period of transformation at Buffalo Trace Distillery,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “This second edition takes last year’s release a step further, with a new blend that we humbly believe is an improvement over the well-regarded first edition. By carefully selecting and blending barrels dating back to the early 2000’s, we have revisited a chapter in the Distillery’s history that shaped who we are today.”In keeping with the first edition, Weller Millennium #2 is held in a 750ml handcrafted crystal decanter with a custom-made crystal topper hand-etched with W.L. Weller’s original “W” stamp of quality. An illuminated display case envelopes the 99-roof bottling with exactly 99 bursts while displaying the proportions and distillation years of each vintage whiskey.
As the oldest age stated whiskey in the Weller portfolio, Weller 18 Year Old is an ultra-aged , 90-proof wheat whiskey. It is packaged in a 700ml handcrafted crystal decanter with a custom-made crystal topper hand-etched with W.L. Weller’s original “W” stamp of quality, similar to Weller Millennium but without the accompanying presentation case.“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.”Both expressions are said to celebrate the original wheated bourbon recipes pioneered by Weller in 1847. At a time when rye and corn dominated the market, his use of wheat, primarily a food crop, resulted in a smoother, sweeter whiskey.Weller Millenium will be released in limited quantities for $7,500. For its inaugural release, Weller 18 Year Old will be available via Global Travel Retail at airports including Los Angeles International (LAX), John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and London Heathrow (LHR) for $499.
Sazerac Ups Its Proof
Buffalo Trace Distillery's Sazerac Rye is getting high (with its proof) with its Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof.Developed in response to demand from bartenders and whiskey enthusiasts, the expression was extensively developed to ensure the new proof didn't overtake the Sazerac's signature flavor.“As the whiskey of America’s first cocktail, Sazerac Rye has played a central role in rye whiskey’s resurgence,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Bartenders have increasingly embraced 100 proof ryes for the balance, strength and versatility they provide. Sazerac Rye 100 Proof offers greater control over flavor and balance, empowering creativity behind the bar. It’s built to be the perfect cocktail whiskey.”“Sazerac Rye 100 Proof was crafted specifically with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts in mind,” added Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery. With the renewed interest in classic cocktails that rely on a rye whiskey base, we focused on ensuring this higher-proof spirit delivers complexity and structure without losing its signature profile. We’re proud of the result and look forward to seeing it elevate cocktails around the world.”A longtime favorite among bartenders, Sazerac Rye Whiskey honors both the character of New Orleans and the history of American spirits.Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof is now for $29.99.
Buffalo Trace Introduces Taylor's Distiller’s Council
Buffalo Trace Distillery introduces Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council. Crafted using equipment and based on techniques originally invented by Taylor, this 100-proof bottling stands as the closest modern interpretation of the bourbons produced under his leadership at O.F.C Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) during the 19th century.The inspiration for this modern recreation traces back to 1996, when a group of bourbon experts and retired George T. Stagg Distillery distillers convened at Buffalo Trace in their pursuit to create the world’s best whiskey. As they sampled more than 30 whiskeys across a range of ages, mash bills and proofs, one voice cut through the room with a thought: “Well, we don’t make whiskey the way we used to.” This led to the Distiller's Council unpacking the way that whiskey was made when they first started their careers. That meeting, until now known by bourbon insiders as the “Distiller’s Council”, resulted in a re-discovery of E.H. Taylor’s pioneering techniques.This led to the revival of Taylor’s sour mashing process – patent pending by Buffalo Trace – and, combined with the modern methods of Buffalo Trace’s distillation team. The production process remains nearly identical to that of the 1880s using both grains in his mashbill and his fermentation process.“Colonel Taylor’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has helped shape every decision at our Distillery since he set our standards in 1870,” said Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “His enduring legacy left a profound impact on everyone present on that fateful day in 1996. As many of them are no longer with us, we hope they are enjoying this angel’s share with the Colonel himself – watching proudly as we carry his vision forward.”Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. purchased the O.F.C. Distillery in 1869 and ushered in a new era of innovation. From state-of-the-art grain equipment to copper fermentation tanks and the first steam-heated barrel warehouses – still in use at Buffalo Trace today – Taylor’s vision revolutionized bourbon production. His advocacy also led to the landmark Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, cementing his legacy as a champion of quality and integrity. His visionary spirit continues to guide Buffalo Trace more than a century later.“Colonel E.H. Taylor didn’t just shape a distillery – he helped shape the entire bourbon industry. That’s why he’s known as the Father of Modern Bourbon,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “From championing the Bottled-in-Bond Act to modernizing production standards, many of his innovations have stood the test of time and are in use to this day. Always of Topmost Class, he set the bar for integrity, innovation and craftsmanship. In that spirit, we are proud to revive this faithful interpretation of his original recipe, crafted with the same standards of quality and spirit of innovation he so fiercely advocated.”Bottled in a vintage-style, Grecian glass decanter modeled after one featured in an 1950s-era Old Taylor “Original Recipe” Bourbon advertisement, this special bottling is the 14th release to join the portfolio alongside expressions including Small Batch, Single Barrel, Rye, Barrel Proof Rye, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon and Four Grain, among others.Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council is available in limited quantities for $1,499.99.
Eagle Rare Soars With New 12 Year Old
Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the introduction of Eagle Rare 12.The latest age-stated addition to the Eagle Rare lineup, it comes as the distillery completes its 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion project, which played a pivotal role in its creation. The liquid, made with Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1, is aged for a minimum of 12 years, with each barrel hand-selected by the distillery’s team. In addition to aging a minimum of two years longer than Eagle Rare 10, it is bottled at 95 proof.“This whiskey represents more than just time in the barrel—it’s the result of years of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment from our entire team,” said Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “The investments we’ve made - in time, resources and effort - have allowed us to explore new possibilities in aging and flavor, and this release is a proud reflection of that journey.”“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, we believe there are no shortcuts to create outstanding whiskey – there is no substitute for quality time spent in the barrel. With Eagle Rare, we are always striving but never satisfied, constantly experimenting to enable better-tasting age stated bourbons,” added Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “When it was introduced, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brought higher quality standards to whiskey around the world; now, Eagle Rare pushes the bounds of age stating excellence in Bourbon.”Eagle Rare 12 is available now for $49.99.