Buffalo Trace Distillery Announces Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat
Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the launch of Daniel Weller, an experimental line exploring the impact of different strains of wheat on its bourbons.
The Daniel Weller line is inspired by and named in honor of Daniel Weller – grandfather to William Larue Weller – and the family distilling traditions he passed down to the generations of whiskey pioneers that followed him.
While William Larue (W.L.) Weller’s place in whiskey history is widely known as one of the first to sell a “wheated” bourbon in Kentucky, his grandfather’s story has yet to be shared. After fighting in The Revolutionary War, Daniel Weller embarked on a flatboat voyage down the Ohio River with his wife and children, ultimately settling in Kentucky in 1794. Following in his father Johannes Weller’s footsteps, who distilled rye whiskey used as currency in early American barter economy, he soon began producing whiskey and leased his still to proprietors like Jacob Hirsch to supplement his income.
When Daniel passed away in 1807, he left no will, requiring his son Samuel to purchase his stills and equipment to continue the family legacy, which he would ultimately pass down to his son William Larue, founder of W.L. Weller & Sons.
Buffalo Trace plans to release one Daniel Weller limited expression every other year, when each experiment is deemed ready for bottling by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. The inaugural release is made with Emmer wheat, an ancient Egyptian grain that’s rarely seen in modern-day stills, and mainly used to make beer and bread. Archaeologists have found evidence of Emmer wheat domestication over 6,000 years ago, and its symbol is etched into the Egyptian pyramids.
The mashbill is not the only variable in this experiment. It was distilled in the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Microstill, named after the father of the modern bourbon industry, which Harlen spent two years custom-designing. A combination pot and column still, the Microstill is both versatile and innovative, allowing the team to experiment with very small batches without interrupting main production capabilities.
Aged for nearly 12 years, Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat is bottled at 94 proof. The nose is described as “fresh and nutty, with notes of orange zest, hazelnut, cinnamon, and caramel.” The palate is “a well-rounded blend of bold oak, sweet honey, and orchard fruits with a complex oak-forward finish complemented by baking spice and leather notes.”
Each release from the Daniel Weller series is packaged in a clear 750 mL glass bottle with a unique compass stopper. Once opened, underneath the stopper one will find the coordinates pinpointing the location of Daniel’s farm near Botland, KY.
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat will be rolling out in limited quantities across the United States beginning this month at a suggested retail price of $499.99.
Image credit: Buffalo Trace.
Source: Buffalo Trace.