BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY INTRODUCES NEXT CHAPTER IN THE DANIEL WELLER EXPERIMENTAL LINE: SPELT WHEAT

The latest edition of the Daniel Weller line explores how one of the world’s oldest wheat strains shapes the flavor of “The Original Wheated Bourbon”

FRANKFORT, KY (March 24, 2026) – Buffalo Trace Distillery proudly announces the release of Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat, the second edition from its experimental Daniel Weller series. Launched in 2023 with Emmer Wheat, the line honors the pioneering spirit of Daniel Weller – grandfather of William Larue Weller and an early contributor to the family’s bourbon-making legacy – by examining how individual wheat varietals impact the flavor profile of Weller, the Original Wheated Bourbon. Each release is designed as a focused experiment, inviting deeper appreciation for how a single variable can meaningfully shape the final whiskey.

Recognized for its subtle sweetness and gentle nuttiness, spelt wheat is rarely used in whiskey production. Cultivated for thousands of years primarily in Europe, spelt is closely associated with traditional, small-scale grain farming and artisanal baking. The distillation team at Buffalo Trace was drawn to spelt not only for its flavor potential, but for its historical significance as one of the earliest cultivated wheat varieties, reflecting the Distillery’s commitment to honoring tradition while embracing change through purposeful experimentation. By using spelt in place of rye as the secondary grain, this release builds upon the soft, smooth profile that defines Weller bourbons while allowing the wheat’s character to shape the whiskey’s aroma, texture, and flavor.

“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. “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 mashbill. Its nuanced profile makes it ideal for experiments where the grain’s personality is meant to shine.”

Bottled at 94 proof, Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat marks a clear departure from classic Weller wheated bourbons, reaching its ideal flavor and balance after 10 years of maturation. It opens with a nutty, biscuit-forward nose shaped by the spelt grain. Aromas of freshly baked cookies, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg are supported by light fresh fruit, subtle leather, with underlying notes of butterscotch, caramel, vanilla and oak. On the palate, dried fruit and gentle sweetness are layered with baking spice, while a restrained floral, tea-like character adds dimension. The finish is long and composed, carrying soft fruit, nuttiness and light spice with a fading, lingering sweetness.

The foundation for this experimental work was laid by Daniel Weller, who played a formative role in the early development of bourbon distilling. After settling in Kentucky in 1794, he carried a family tradition of distillation, rooted in American barter culture. By operating and leasing his still to proprietors, Weller expanded both access to and influence within the growing spirits trade, embedding distilling into his family’s legacy. His entrepreneurial approach laid the groundwork for future generations and helped shape the wheated bourbon tradition that would later define the Weller name in American whiskey history.

“Daniel Weller set a standard for ingenuity that still guides us today,” adds Charley Costa Jr., Brand Manager for Daniel Weller. “This line reflects that same pioneering mindset. By experimenting with distinctive wheat varietals like spelt, we’re honoring Daniel Weller’s legacy while challenging ourselves to explore new dimensions of flavor. Each release is an opportunity to connect our history to the future of American whiskey.”

Each Daniel Weller release is stored in a 750ml glass bottle with a unique compass stopper. In homage to Daniel Weller, the coordinates of his farm near Botland, Kentucky, are inscribed beneath the stopper.

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat will be available in limited quantities to distributors, shipping to select retailers, bars and restaurants across the U.S. starting March 2026 at a suggested retail price of $549.99 (750ml); state taxes vary. The Daniel Weller series also includes Emmer Wheat (2023) and is part of the broader Weller Wheated Bourbon portfolio, including Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 Year Old, Weller Full Proof, Weller C.Y.P.B., Weller Single Barrel and William Larue Weller, one of the most sought-after whiskeys released annually as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

For more information, please visit HERE

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2^nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

A Scotch of Extraordinary Pedigree
1989 The K&L Liquors’ 36 Year Old “Enviable” (Sideburns)
Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($199.99)
“Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time
the deal is even more impressive.” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

The wild success of the Sideburns 35 Year has rattled the cage of more than one large company in Scotland. If you haven’t seen my review of that product, I highly recommend taking a look here. The short version is this: we may be on the precipice of a new golden age of Scotch, and K&L is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market asymmetry. While our marketing of the previous batch was met with side eyes and raised eyebrows from the original owners of the stocks and trademarks, other suppliers with similar inventories saw it as a signal. This was an opportunity.

It would seem our prayers have been answered. Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time the deal is even more impressive. There are, of course, differences in the stock. This distillate comes entirely from November 1989 and was matured in refill hogsheads, rather than the first-fill sherry hogsheads of Batch #1. The proof is slightly lower, but still a robust 47-48% for a whisky of such advanced age. Remember, Scotch typically loses up to 1% ABV per year and enters the cask around 63%. So yes, older, slightly lower in proof, and without the fashionable sherry influence, yet 25% cheaper. If you ask me, old malt like this absolutely thrives in refill hogsheads. While I often insist on first or second fill for younger whisky, at this age the nuance of second or third fill can be profoundly beneficial.

In any case, if it’s not already clear, this malt is drawn almost entirely from one of Speyside’s most beloved distillers. Search “Burnside,” the Cadenhead/Springbank-owned blended malt, if you want clues to the source. We’re being intentionally careful about naming names, but suffice it to say this parcel comes from the cellars of one of the industry’s most powerful blending houses. Whether it was once destined as a top note for premium blends or simply forgotten stock, it now stands as perhaps the greatest value I’ve ever offered. Twice in six months. It really does feel like the start of something bigger.

— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

* This pre-arrival product is estimated to be available for pickup or delivery by 10/31/2026.

1989 The K&L Liquors’ 36 Year Old “Enviable” (Sideburns) Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($199.99)

Another incredible deal from the depths of Scotland’s vast blending apparatus. This is a completely different lot than the first Sideburns, but the exact same blend. Our friends at Cadenhead’s would sell this style of blended malt as “Burnside,” but rather than push our luck after Sideburns raised a few eyebrows, we’re offering this special parcel of 36 year old blended malt under the cheeky “Enviable” label. If you’re sharp with wordplay or familiar with Burnside, the reference should be clear. While we cannot state the distillery outright, this whisky is composed primarily of the famous malt produced in Dufftown under the William Grant system.

By strict legal definition it is simply another blended malt of considerable age, but in terms of quality it stands among the finest whisky being produced in Scotland today. The practice of teaspooning was developed within the blending trade to prevent competitors from capitalizing on a distillery’s name, adding a trace amount of another malt to obscure origin. With that in mind we’ll stay tactful, but even minimal research will point you in the right direction. There is no question that the whisky in this bottle represents extraordinary pedigree, and without that minute addition from a neighboring distillery its value would be many times what we’re asking. The quirks of the Scotch market can be remarkable, and moments like this are exactly where they benefit the drinker.

Purchase Here ➔

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Today we launch AFICIONADO — a new collection of rare, hand-selected vintage single malt Scotch whiskies that celebrates the Art of Maturation and our commitment to exceptional quality. Positioned between our Mission Gold series and ultra-aged releases, AFICIONADO showcases long-matured expressions from some of Scotland’s most revered distilleries. Each whisky is bottled in small batches, at natural colour and without chill filtration, preserving the authenticity and character of every dram.

The inaugural releases include:

Mortlach – 34 Years Old (1989)

Bowmore – 34 Years Old (1990)

Imperial – 35 Years Old (1989)

AFICIONADO embodies the principles that have defined Murray McDavid since 1994: thoughtful curation, innovative maturation and a respect for Scotland’s distilling heritage.

READ MORE

March is all about new beginnings from a seasonal perspective, so it’s only right that we get into this month’s whiskies with the same attitude. Isn’t it time you got into the new stuff?

TAKE ME TO THE BOTTLES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Glenallachie Sinteis Part 2 & 3

THE VIDEO

Glenallachie Sinteis Part 2 & 3 (sin-teesh) Meaning synthesis in Scots Gaelic. It’s impossible to not pay attention to anything that Billy Walker is doing. He’s the king of sherry maturation and, along with myself, a huge fan of virgin oak maturation. It wouldn’t be long until we saw a fusion of his two cask passions coalescing into some limited edition releases for us all to fawn over.

All natural colour with no chill filtration and bottled at cask strength, these bottles are some of the most wonderful colours I’ve ever witnessed, so dark, deep and ruby red. The exploration of virgin oak influences is something I’ve been waiting for from any distillery. It makes total sense to have Glenallachie lead the way with this, whilst still making everything still affordable to someone wanting to explore it. French virgin oak has made its way into many different brands over the years, whilst Scottish oak has only appeared a handful of times – ( Greg Glass project and Glengoyne.)

After a wonderful chat with Billy at HIDE in London, he told me that the spice profiles of both French and Scottish oak are rather similar, I’d still try to push for a full Scottish oak maturation release, even just as a single barrel – something fun. The rest of that chat will remain a secret, but you’ll see something rather fun in this series next year! Part 2: a combination of Scottish virgin oak and Oloroso sherry casks – Waves of salted butter, cola syrup and dried fruits. Part 3: a combination of French virgin oak and Oloroso sherry casks – a super fusion of French patisserie aromas and additional indulgence from Oloroso sherry.