W. L. Weller 'Full Proof' Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

Rich waves of caramelized sugar, dark vanilla, and deeply toasted oak rise from the glass with commanding intensity, immediately distinguishing this as a Weller that speaks in a louder, more concentrated register. W. L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey delivers the house’s historic wheated mash bill at the same proof it entered the barrel, preserving its original structure and weight without dilution. Within the Weller range, this expression occupies a rarified position, not only for its strength, but for the deliberate restraint exercised in how and when it is released, making each bottle a more singular encounter with the core recipe.

Product Details:

• Owner: Sazerac Company
• Category: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
• Mash Bill: Wheated Bourbon (corn, wheat, malted barley)
• ABV: 57%
• Proof: 114
• Distiller: Harlen Wheatley

Sensory Description:

The palate is powerful and expansive, led by concentrated notes of toffee, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, followed by assertive oak, cocoa powder, and warming spice. Wheat cushions the elevated proof, lending a creamy, rounded mid-palate that prevents the whiskey from tipping into harshness. As it opens, layers of roasted nuts, dried dark fruit, and subtle leather emerge, revealing depth that is often softened or obscured in diluted expressions. Compared to other Weller bottlings, Full Proof presents the mash bill in its most complete and unedited form, amplifying both sweetness and structure while retaining balance. The finish is long and resonant, driven by oak and caramel with a persistent warmth that underscores its full-strength character.

Producer’s Background:

Buffalo Trace Distillery has built its reputation on patient aging, meticulous barrel management, and the careful preservation of historic bourbon recipes. Under the leadership of distiller Harlen Wheatley, the distillery has increasingly allowed its most respected mash bills to be explored through focused, low-intervention expressions. The W. L. Weller line honors William Larue Weller’s pioneering use of wheat, a choice that reshaped bourbon’s texture and approachability. Full Proof represents a confident extension of that legacy, produced in comparatively limited quantities and bottled without reduction, signaling Buffalo Trace’s willingness to let select barrels stand on their own merit rather than be shaped for volume or uniformity.

Serving Suggestions:

Best enjoyed neat in measured pours, or with a few drops of water to unlock additional aromatic layers and soften the intensity. Serve at room temperature in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped glass to focus the aromatics and emphasize its layered structure. This is a whiskey intended for slow, deliberate appreciation, where its concentration and depth can unfold over time.