Review of Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat Bourbon

 

Courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery

As one of the most innovative legacy brand distillers, I have a lot of respect for Harlen Wheatley. He is very much a what-if thinker and is responsible for some pretty unusual stuff, often bottled under the Buffalo Trace Experimental Series.

 

However, in 2023, Wheatley and his team created the Daniel Weller line to honor the grandfather of William Larue Weller. Daniel was instrumental in early Bourbon distilling; he not only made whiskey but also leased his still to others so they could make their own. Wheatley wanted to dive deep into how individual wheat varieties might affect the flavor profile of Weller Bourbons.

 

“Rather than leaning on barrel innovation, we chose to strip the process back and let the wheat speak for itself. By avoiding specialized barrel treatments and techniques, we were able to focus on how spelt wheat’s natural sweetness and distinct character influence the Weller mashbill. Its nuanced profile makes it ideal for experiments where the grain’s personality is meant to shine.” - Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller

 

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat is the second whiskey in this journey, following Emmer Wheat, made from an ancient wheat varietal.

 

What makes spelt a special ingredient? It, too, is an ancient grain and is sometimes called dinkel wheat or hulled wheat. Spelt was grown by Nordic Europeans in the Middle Ages, and is a hybrid of emmer and bread wheats. As modern wheat varieties became more appealing to farmers, spelt fell out of fashion. However, it is making a comeback as a high-protein, healthier grain rich in minerals such as copper, selenium, and zinc.

 

Spelt Wheat is made from a mash of corn, spelt, and malted barley. Like pretty much any Buffalo Trace whiskey, the exact breakdown is undisclosed. It aged for a decade in new, charred oak barrels, and is bottled at 47% ABV (94°). Spelt Wheat, like Emmer Wheat, comes in a customized glass bottle with a unique compass stopper.

 

If you’re thinking that Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat sounds like a great opportunity, well, it’ll cost you. Assuming you can find it as MSRP, you’ll shell out $549.99 for a 750mL.

 

Is it worth the price of admission? We’ll have to #DrinkCurious to find out, and thankfully, Buffalo Trace sent me a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s get to sipping!  

 

• Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Age: 10 years
• Mashbill: Undisclosed blend of corn, spelt wheat, and malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 47% ABV (94°)
• Price per 750mL: $549.99

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into a Glencairn glass to explore it neat. The liquid had a honey-amber hue and produced a medium-thick rim with widely spaced, thicker tears.

 

Nose: After waiting the requisite 15 minutes for the Bourbon to breathe, I brought the glass to my nose and inhaled the vapor. Notes of hazelnuts, clove, biscuits, leather, and nutmeg were easily identified. With more effort, I discerned red currants, stewed apples, and oak. I drew the aroma into my mouth, which yielded a rich caramel taste.  

 

Palate: The first sip revealed a thin, silky texture; I had trouble keeping it in my mouth before it slid down my throat. There was no palate shock. The next one brought flavors of stewed apples, dried figs, and caramel to the front of my palate, while the middle featured leather, hazelnuts, and clove. The back included sweet oak, rose petals, and tea.  

 

Finish: Rose petals, hazelnuts, roasted almonds, tea, and clove remained in my mouth and throat. The finish was light through and through. At 1:18, it had completely faded, with tea being the last to exit.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Is Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat different from other wheated Bourbons I’ve tried? Most definitely. Is it similar to other Weller Bourbons I’ve had? Weirdly enough, no. That’s not a good or bad thing; it is merely an observation.

 

Experiments are fun, and I give major kudos to any distiller willing to take risks. Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat will sell out. It’ll hit whatever secondary market still exists. People will pay thousands for it, just as they do for anything Van Winkle. That’s just the nature of Buffalo Trace allocated whiskeys.

 

I found this Bourbon enjoyable. It is well-balanced, unique, and easy to drink, although I’d recommend nursing it so you can appreciate its nuances. Would I spend $550.00 on Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat? Even if I had that kind of money to play with, there are other, fascinating choices available for a fraction of the cost that are worth bringing home. I understand the scarcity of a spelt Bourbon; however, I might be more amenable to its cost if the proof were more potent. As it stands, my Bar rating is warranted. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.