The Story
Uncut. Unfiltered. Barrel proof. The 2020 William Larue Weller — the only wheated bourbon in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
William Larue Weller is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and the only expression in the group using a wheated bourbon mashbill. Where George T. Stagg uses a high-rye mashbill and delivers bold spice and power, Weller substitutes wheat for rye — producing a dramatically softer, more caramel-forward character even at cask strength. The wheat grain's lower congener production means that fruit and vanilla notes lead rather than spice, making WLW the most approachable of the high-proof BTAC releases despite arriving at barrel strength.
The 2020 was bottled at barrel proof — the exact proof varies by barrel and vintage — uncut and unfiltered directly from the cask. It sells out within hours of release annually and commands sustained secondary market premiums. For collectors of wheated bourbon, it is the annual benchmark alongside the Van Winkle lineup that shares the same foundational recipe.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep rich amber with exceptional legs from the unfiltered bottling.
- Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, honey, and dark fruit — more fruit-forward than the rye-heavy BTAC releases.
- Palate: Smooth and full despite barrel proof — toffee, dark chocolate, dried cherry, baking spice, and the silky wheat grain sweetness that defines this mashbill at its best.
- Finish: Long and warming — caramel, vanilla, and oak tapering into a clean, satisfying close.
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof: Barrel proof (uncut)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Size: 750ml
- Release: 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Compare vintages in the full William Larue Weller collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does William Larue Weller relate to W.L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle? All three use the same wheated mashbill tracing back to W.L. Weller & Sons and Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Buffalo Trace has produced both the W.L. Weller lineup and the Van Winkle bourbons using the same foundational recipe since 2002. WLW is the cask-strength annual flagship of that family.
- Why does wheated bourbon feel smoother at barrel proof? Wheat produces fewer harsh congeners than rye during fermentation and distillation. At barrel strength, a wheated bourbon's fruit and caramel notes remain the dominant character rather than being overtaken by spice — which is why WLW at high proof can still feel approachable compared to a rye-mashbill bourbon at similar proof.
- How does the 2020 WLW compare to the 2018 and 2019? Each vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2018 and 2019 were both distilled in winter 2007 and aged in Warehouse I — the 2020 reflects a different cohort of barrels. Vintage comparison is a key driver of WLW collectability.
- Is the 2020 WLW still available? In very limited quantities. BTAC releases sell out at primary retail immediately upon arrival each fall. Finding remaining stock requires a specialty retailer with legacy allocation.
Description
Uncut. Unfiltered. Barrel proof. The 2020 William Larue Weller — the only wheated bourbon in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
William Larue Weller is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and the only expression in the group using a wheated bourbon mashbill. Where George T. Stagg uses a high-rye mashbill and delivers bold spice and power, Weller substitutes wheat for rye — producing a dramatically softer, more caramel-forward character even at cask strength. The wheat grain's lower congener production means that fruit and vanilla notes lead rather than spice, making WLW the most approachable of the high-proof BTAC releases despite arriving at barrel strength.
The 2020 was bottled at barrel proof — the exact proof varies by barrel and vintage — uncut and unfiltered directly from the cask. It sells out within hours of release annually and commands sustained secondary market premiums. For collectors of wheated bourbon, it is the annual benchmark alongside the Van Winkle lineup that shares the same foundational recipe.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep rich amber with exceptional legs from the unfiltered bottling.
- Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, honey, and dark fruit — more fruit-forward than the rye-heavy BTAC releases.
- Palate: Smooth and full despite barrel proof — toffee, dark chocolate, dried cherry, baking spice, and the silky wheat grain sweetness that defines this mashbill at its best.
- Finish: Long and warming — caramel, vanilla, and oak tapering into a clean, satisfying close.
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof: Barrel proof (uncut)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Size: 750ml
- Release: 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Compare vintages in the full William Larue Weller collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does William Larue Weller relate to W.L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle? All three use the same wheated mashbill tracing back to W.L. Weller & Sons and Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Buffalo Trace has produced both the W.L. Weller lineup and the Van Winkle bourbons using the same foundational recipe since 2002. WLW is the cask-strength annual flagship of that family.
- Why does wheated bourbon feel smoother at barrel proof? Wheat produces fewer harsh congeners than rye during fermentation and distillation. At barrel strength, a wheated bourbon's fruit and caramel notes remain the dominant character rather than being overtaken by spice — which is why WLW at high proof can still feel approachable compared to a rye-mashbill bourbon at similar proof.
- How does the 2020 WLW compare to the 2018 and 2019? Each vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2018 and 2019 were both distilled in winter 2007 and aged in Warehouse I — the 2020 reflects a different cohort of barrels. Vintage comparison is a key driver of WLW collectability.
- Is the 2020 WLW still available? In very limited quantities. BTAC releases sell out at primary retail immediately upon arrival each fall. Finding remaining stock requires a specialty retailer with legacy allocation.
