Is Buffalo Trace A Wheated Bourbon? Solved (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Have you noticed the hype about Buffalo Trace these days? Folks posted photos with the Buffalo Trace bourbon, and some felt out of the loop.
But is Buffalo Trace a wheated bourbon or not? We’ve got the answer here in Liquor Laboratory.
Buffalo Trace: Is It A Wheated Bourbon?
Buffalo Trace Distillery is known to produce different American whiskey brands, including big-league bottles of wheated bourbon mash bills.
While the actual mash bill percentage is unknown, we know for sure that the traditional rye percentage was replaced by wheat. This yielded a richer and sweeter flavor profile of grass, vanilla, and caramel.
Numerous brands fall into one of the five mash bill recipes of Buffalo Trace, and Kosher Wheat belongs to the wheat mash bill recipe [1].
Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat uses the same grains as W.L. Weller and Van Winkle, but it undergoes a specific production process to satisfy the Passover requirements.
It was released in 2020 in partnership with the Chicago Rabbinical Council [2].
What’s Buffalo Trace Wheated Mash Bill?
Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon uses the wheated bourbon mash bill wherein rye is replaced with wheat.
While the ratio of wheat is not disclosed, it is reputed to be sweeter and smoother than rye whiskeys (which we all know are bold and spicy).
The mash bill is used to make the Pappy Van Winkle (except for the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye) and W.L. Weller line.
It is also the same mash bill used in making the infamous William Larue Weller expression from Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection.
Wheated Bourbons Produced By Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat
ABV: 47%
Average Price: from $89.99/750ml (Drizly)
Quick Description:
Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat is part of the three kosher whiskeys released in 2020 by Buffalo Trace Distillery. The wheated bourbon contains the same quality of mash bill as the W.L Weller but with a 100% kosher production process.
The bourbon is aged for seven years, and the distillery ensures that the lines are not in contact with non-Kosher spirits before bottling at 94 proof.
Read: Popular Buffalo Trace Alternatives
Pappy Van Winkle Line
ABV: 45.2%- 53.5%
Average Price: $1000-$55000 (Drizly)
Quick Description:
Pappy Van Winkle Line uses a wheated recipe from specially selected barrels in the heart of Buffalo Trace’s aging warehouse.
Unhurried by time and untouched by human hands, the bourbons have an elegant and luxurious aroma of vanilla and caramel corn. It is aged from 10 to 23 years.
W.L. Weller Line
ABV: 45% – 57%
Average Price: $17.49 – $11000 (Drizly)
Quick Description:
W.L Weller Line is a widely acclaimed wheated bourbon whiskey in the market today.
The expressions have a light aroma with a well-rounded and balanced flavor profile. Moreso, it is exceptionally smooth and sweet with a medium to long finish.
William Larue Weller
ABV: 64%
Average Price: roughly $1000/750ml (Drizly)
Quick Description:
Unfiltered and uncut, William Larue Weller is a hand-bottled bourbon from Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection. It is barrel proof with a smooth and composed finish.
We think you’ll appreciate the sweet scents of light toffee, caramel corn, plum, new leather, and pipe tobacco. To the palate, you’ll get figs, dates, salted almonds, marshmallows, and nougat.
Read: Buffalo Trace vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon
What Does Its Wheated Bourbon Taste Like?
Wheated bourbon is generally smoother, softer, and sweeter than other types of whiskey-thanks to the wheat grain it comprises.
The primary grain of bourbon is corn, and the secondary grain of wheated bourbons is wheat instead of rye.
With this, wheated bourbon is easy to drink, with notable sweetness, and has a gentle kick. But is Buffalo Trace gluten-free?
FAQs
When did Buffalo Trace use its wheated mash bill?
Buffalo Trace used its wheated mash bill in 1992 for Pappy Van Winkle and W.L Weller after Stitzel-Weller closed down. Today, 14 expressions of Buffalo Trace use the wheated mash bill. But how long is Buffalo Trace bourbon aged?
Is Buffalo Trace’s wheated bourbon rare?
No, Buffalo Trace’s wheated bourbon is not rare. You can easily score a bottle of wheated bourbon, even if it is a commemorative bottle for Jewish Passover. But what is so great about Buffalo Trace bourbon?
Final Thoughts
Today, Buffalo Trace is still one of the most popular wheated bourbons on the market and remains a favorite among whiskey lovers worldwide.
Aside from the expressions from WL Weller and Pappy Van Winkle, the Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat is another wheated bourbon you should not miss.
Have you tried a bottle of wheated bourbon? How was it? Let us know by commenting below.
References:
- https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/buffalo-trace-bourbon-rye-buying-guide-prices-brands-value/#buffalo-trace-s-five-mash-bills
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/dining/buffalo-trace-kosher-bourbon.html
