William Larue Weller First Release (Batch 1) 2005 Bottling

William Larue Weller 2005 First Release is an exceptionally rare Kentucky straight bourbon and the inaugural William Larue Weller bottling in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Released in fall 2005, it was distilled in fall 1993 and matured for 12 years and 2 months before being bottled uncut and unfiltered at barrel proof — 121.9 proof (60.95% ABV).

This historic first release was created from just 41 barrels, matured on the 5th floor of Warehouse Q, with a substantial 58.04% evaporation loss during maturation. Estimates place the original release at only around 4,600 bottles, making it exceptionally scarce today.

Made using Buffalo Trace's celebrated wheated bourbon recipe, with wheat replacing rye as the secondary grain, the 2005 William Larue Weller represents the beginning of what would become one of America's most coveted annual barrel-proof bourbons. As the first-ever WLW release, its historical significance and extremely limited production give it outstanding appeal to serious American whiskey and Buffalo Trace collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich caramel, honey, mature oak and sweet wheat, with dried fruits, baked apple and warming barrel spice.

Palate: Powerful yet rounded with caramelised apple, honey, dark dried fruits, toasted oak and concentrated wheated-bourbon sweetness. Contemporary tasting accounts also note a surprisingly approachable character considering its 121.9 proof strength.

Finish: Long and warming with mature oak, caramel, dried fruit, citrus and lingering sweet spice.