{"product_id":"w-l-weller-william-larue-weller-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-2020","title":"William Larue Weller 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUncut. Unfiltered. Barrel proof. The 2020 William Larue Weller — the only wheated bourbon in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWilliam Larue Weller is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and the only expression in the group using a wheated bourbon mashbill. Where George T. Stagg uses a high-rye mashbill and delivers bold spice and power, Weller substitutes wheat for rye — producing a dramatically softer, more caramel-forward character even at cask strength. The wheat grain's lower congener production means that fruit and vanilla notes lead rather than spice, making WLW the most approachable of the high-proof BTAC releases despite arriving at barrel strength.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe 2020 was bottled at barrel proof — the exact proof varies by barrel and vintage — uncut and unfiltered directly from the cask. It sells out within hours of release annually and commands sustained secondary market premiums. For collectors of wheated bourbon, it is the annual benchmark alongside the Van Winkle lineup that shares the same foundational recipe.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep rich amber with exceptional legs from the unfiltered bottling.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, vanilla, honey, and dark fruit — more fruit-forward than the rye-heavy BTAC releases.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth and full despite barrel proof — toffee, dark chocolate, dried cherry, baking spice, and the silky wheat grain sweetness that defines this mashbill at its best.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warming — caramel, vanilla, and oak tapering into a clean, satisfying close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barrel proof (uncut)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uncut, unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eCompare vintages in the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/william-larue-weller\"\u003eWilliam Larue Weller collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does William Larue Weller relate to W.L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle?\u003c\/strong\u003e All three use the same wheated mashbill tracing back to W.L. Weller \u0026amp; Sons and Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Buffalo Trace has produced both the W.L. Weller lineup and the Van Winkle bourbons using the same foundational recipe since 2002. WLW is the cask-strength annual flagship of that family.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy does wheated bourbon feel smoother at barrel proof?\u003c\/strong\u003e Wheat produces fewer harsh congeners than rye during fermentation and distillation. At barrel strength, a wheated bourbon's fruit and caramel notes remain the dominant character rather than being overtaken by spice — which is why WLW at high proof can still feel approachable compared to a rye-mashbill bourbon at similar proof.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does the 2020 WLW compare to the 2018 and 2019?\u003c\/strong\u003e Each vintage reflects different distillation years, warehouse positions, and barrel selections. The 2018 and 2019 were both distilled in winter 2007 and aged in Warehouse I — the 2020 reflects a different cohort of barrels. Vintage comparison is a key driver of WLW collectability.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 2020 WLW still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In very limited quantities. BTAC releases sell out at primary retail immediately upon arrival each fall. Finding remaining stock requires a specialty retailer with legacy allocation.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does William Larue Weller relate to W.L. Weller and Pappy Van Winkle?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"All three use the same wheated mashbill from W.L. Weller \u0026 Sons. Buffalo Trace has produced both the Weller lineup and Van Winkle bourbons using the same foundational recipe since 2002.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why does wheated bourbon feel smoother at barrel proof?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Wheat produces fewer harsh congeners than rye. At barrel strength, a wheated bourbon's fruit and caramel notes remain dominant rather than being overtaken by spice.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does the 2020 WLW compare to the 2018 and 2019?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Each vintage reflects different distillation years and barrel selections. The 2018 and 2019 were both distilled winter 2007 in Warehouse I. The 2020 reflects a different barrel cohort.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the 2020 WLW still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"In very limited quantities. BTAC releases sell out at primary retail immediately upon fall release.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"William Larue Weller","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900658290759,"sku":"20-088004025953","price":2399.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/2020-William-Lauren-Weller-Kentucky-Straight-Bourbon-Whiskey.jpg?v=1782423730","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/w-l-weller-william-larue-weller-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-2020","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}