Buffalo Trace Daniel Weller Spelt Bourbon Review

I have long been a fan of the Buffalo Trace brand. I remember visiting the distillery and learning about their process. What a wonderful tour, seeing and learning all about the long and storied history dating back to 1775. This bourbon is the newest edition in the Buffalo Trace experimental line. I have had the pleasure of tasting a few of the experimental releases and it’s always an interesting experience. 

This is a new approach with a new mash bill. I’ll be honest; I don’t appreciate every experimental expression of their whiskey. But it’s fair to say that about any brand. In my reviews, I do try to be objective in terms of how well the flavors coalesce, how the heat affects the experience, and generally whether the profile just works. This review was completed with WBSE member and Moderator, Wayne Artz.

The newest release, Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat, is the second edition from its experimental Daniel Weller series. Launched in 2023 with Emmer Wheat, the line honors the pioneering spirit of Daniel Weller – grandfather of William Larue Weller and an early contributor to the family’s bourbon-making legacy – by examining how individual wheat varietals impact the flavor profile of Weller, the Original Wheated Bourbon. Each release is designed as a focused experiment, inviting deeper appreciation for how a single variable can meaningfully shape the final whiskey.

Here’s the story from Buffalo Trace: “Recognized for its subtle sweetness and gentle nuttiness, spelt wheat is rarely used in whiskey production. Cultivated for thousands of years primarily in Europe, spelt is closely associated with traditional, small-scale grain farming and artisanal baking. The distillation team at Buffalo Trace was drawn to spelt not only for its flavor potential, but for its historical significance as one of the earliest cultivated wheat varieties, reflecting the Distillery’s commitment to honoring tradition while embracing change through purposeful experimentation. By using spelt in place of rye as the secondary grain, this release builds upon the soft, smooth profile that defines Weller bourbons while allowing the wheat’s character to shape the whiskey’s aroma, texture, and flavor.”

“Rather than leaning on barrel innovation, we chose to strip the process back and let the wheat speak for itself,” said Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “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.”

As you will see in the tasting notes, this is a very different bourbon!