As the third oldest operating distillery in the world, with roots dating back to 1773, Buffalo Trace Distillery (as it’s known today) has been honing its craft since Kentucky was a wild, untamed frontier and the United States was just an idea. In the centuries that followed, the Distillery changed hands numerous times, but one thing always remained constant; it was a homeplace for the creation of authentic American whiskey.
At the turn of the millennium, the Distillery was amid a period of transformation once again and looked to its forebearers for inspiration. As a trailblazer in the industry, the distillation team chose to pay homage to W.L. Weller by setting aside some of the first whiskeys distilled in the new millennium for the sole purpose of creating this extraordinary innovation.
A blend of vintage straight bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006, Weller Millennium highlights the impact that wheat has on the whiskey’s flavor: the softness imparted by the wheat creates a smoother, sweeter, more approachable expression. By marrying these exceptional spirits together, the whiskeys further harmonize with each other, creating a cohesive, balanced final product that is greater than the sum of its parts.
On the nose, Weller Millennium boasts rich caramel and toffee notes, indicating prolonged interaction with oak barrels that lead into an oak woodiness, with layers of depth and complexity from years of maturation. Subtle but distinct hints of dried fruits, such as figs or raisins, and a touch of stone fruit can be found lingering throughout. Sweet notes of caramel persist on the palate finishing with a prominent oak influence, imparting a subtle dryness and a lingering sense of refinement.