Weller Special Reserve & Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bundle (2 x 750ml)

This bundle highlights two foundational bourbons from the esteemed Buffalo Trace Distillery, each produced with distinct mash bills and aging approaches.

Weller Special Reserve is a proud torchbearer of the "wheated bourbon" tradition, a style pioneered by William Larue Weller himself. Unlike most bourbons that use rye as their secondary grain, Weller Special Reserve substitutes wheat. While the exact mash bill is proprietary, it consists predominantly of corn, with a significant portion of wheat and a smaller amount of malted barley. This wheated recipe is responsible for the bourbons characteristic smoothness, mellow sweetness, and softer mouthfeel compared to rye-forward bourbons. The whiskey undergoes distillation in large column stills at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Following distillation, the spirit is aged in new, charred American oak barrels for approximately seven years. The interaction with the charred oak during this maturation process imparts rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, while the consistent aging environment in the distillerys warehouses ensures a harmonious development of flavors and a beautiful burnt orange hue.

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the flagship expression of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, celebrated for its time-honored production techniques. The bourbon utilizes a traditional mash bill, often referred to as "Mash Bill #1," which is believed to be corn-dominant with a relatively small percentage of rye and malted barley. The grains are ground and cooked with naturally filtered limestone water, a crucial element in Kentucky bourbon production. This "sweet mash" is then combined with a portion of residual liquid from previous distillations, a technique known as "sour mashing," which contributes to consistency and flavor. After fermentation, the liquid undergoes a two-stage distillation process, first in a column still (beer still) and then a second distillation in a copper doubler, which further refines the spirit. The resulting "white dog" (new make spirit) is then filled into new, charred American oak barrels at a specific proof (not exceeding 62.5% ABV) and aged in the distillerys historic, multi-story warehouses. While the legal minimum for straight bourbon is two years, Buffalo Trace Bourbon is typically aged for an average of eight years or more, well beyond the minimum. This extended aging in varying warehouse conditions allows the whiskey to absorb complex notes of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit from the oak, developing its rich and balanced flavor profile and smooth finish.

This bundle brings together two pillars of the Sazerac Companys Buffalo Trace Distillery, each with a rich history.

The Weller brand traces its origins back to William Larue Weller, a Kentucky distiller born in 1825, who is famously credited with being the first to produce a bourbon using wheat as the secondary grain in the mash bill, rather than the more common rye. This "wheated" bourbon style, first crafted by Weller in 1849, is known for its softer, smoother, and sweeter profile. After Wellers passing, the brand was eventually acquired by the legendary Julian P. "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr., who further solidified its reputation at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. In 1999, the Sazerac Company purchased the Weller brand, moving its production to the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery, where it continues to be made following the wheated recipe. Weller Special Reserve is the entry point into the Weller line, highly sought after for its approachable and sweet character, carrying on the legacy of its wheated heritage.

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the namesake brand of one of Americas oldest continuously operating distilleries, the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. The distillerys history on this site stretches back over two centuries, with documented distilling operations as early as 1775. The facility has operated under various names throughout its long history, including the O.F.C. (Old Fire Copper) Distillery established by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. in 1870, and later the George T. Stagg Distillery. It notably survived Prohibition by securing a license to produce medicinal whiskey, a testament to its resilience and significance in the industry. The Sazerac Company acquired the distillery in 1992 and officially renamed it Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999, coinciding with the launch of the Buffalo Trace bourbon brand itself. The name "Buffalo Trace" honors the ancient migratory paths of buffalo that led pioneers to the banks of the Kentucky River, a nod to the rich history and geography of the region. Today, Buffalo Trace is celebrated for its commitment to traditional distilling methods, meticulous aging processes, and a wide portfolio of highly acclaimed bourbons and rye whiskies, with its flagship Buffalo Trace bourbon serving as a benchmark for quality Kentucky Straight Bourbon.