Buffalo Trace Announces Weller Single Barrel - A New Annual Release

Buffalo Trace has announced a new permanent edition to the Weller brand lineup in the form of Weller Single Barrel with availability starting this summer.

Marketing manager Joshua Steely says:

Many of our Weller fans have been asking for a single barrel bourbon for quite a while, and we’ve planned for this addition for a number of years, so we’re excited to be able to make this happen. Our rye bourbon mash bill has a variety of options, like Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Stagg Jr. George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbons, so it’s nice to be able to offer some variety in our wheated bourbon mash bill as well.

Weller Single Barrel joins the other varieties of Weller that include: Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 year, Weller Full Proof, Weller Craft Your Perfect Bourbon, and William Larue Weller. 

This new release comes in at 97 proof (48.5% alcohol) and carries an MSRP of $49.99. Unlike other versions of Weller, the bottle will contain a cork stopper. The release will limited beginning this summer (June) and will be an annual release. Since this is a single barrel, each bottle will be slightly different, but the tasting notes are:

Nose: Cherry and mint, fading to vanilla.
Taste: Caramel and baking spices with hints of cocoa

Finish: Cinnamon, coffee, and a hint of pepper

My Take

Weller is one of the most sought after bourbons on the market... this is both due to the quality of the bourbon and the way Buffalo Trace expertly makes their products scarce in order to create demand (see Blanton's). Since this is a once a year release, I would expect the demand for this to be through the roof and I expect to see this through one of the State Liquor Commission's (OHLQ) lotteries or through a limited release at select stores once the COVID-19 pandemic is over. 

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section.

Source: Buffalo Trace