W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Caramel, vanilla custard, and polished oak rise first from W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, setting a tone of depth and quiet authority. Long allocated and notoriously difficult to secure, this twelve year expression has become a benchmark for mature wheated bourbon, prized by collectors and seasoned drinkers alike for its consistency and grace. Its enduring reputation reflects the careful stewardship and patient philosophy of the distilling team, whose commitment to time and balance has defined the Weller name for generations.

Product Details:

• Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Owner: Sazerac Company
• Distiller: Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller
• Category: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 12 Years
• ABV: 45%
• Mashbill: Wheated bourbon mashbill, corn with wheat as the secondary grain

Sensory Description:

The palate opens with layered notes of toffee, honeyed grain, and soft baking spice, unfolding gradually into flavors of dried orchard fruit, vanilla cream, and seasoned oak. The wheat-forward mashbill tempers the influence of extended aging, allowing the twelve years in barrel to express themselves through structure and depth rather than sharpness. Compared to younger wheated bourbons, this expression shows greater restraint and integration, with tannins that are firm yet rounded, reflecting the benefits of long maturation. The finish is long and warming, carrying echoes of caramel, cocoa, and gently toasted wood that linger with composed elegance.

Producer’s Background:

Buffalo Trace Distillery stands among the most historic and respected names in American whiskey, with a legacy shaped by continuity, experimentation, and an unwavering focus on quality. Under the ownership of the Sazerac Company, the distillery has preserved traditional methods while refining them through meticulous barrel selection and aging practices. The W. L. Weller line honors William Larue Weller’s early advocacy for wheat in bourbon mashbills, a philosophy that continues to guide the distilling team’s approach today.

Serving Suggestions:

Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to reveal additional layers of aroma and texture, W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey shines in a tulip-shaped whiskey glass that concentrates its nuanced bouquet. Its richness pairs naturally with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or aged hard cheeses, making it well suited to slow, contemplative sipping.