William Larue Weller 2022

Uncut. Unfiltered. Cask strength. William Larue Weller 2022 — the wheated bourbon expression in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, delivering the same mashbill as Pappy Van Winkle at its most raw and powerful form.

William Larue Weller introduced the wheat-substituted bourbon recipe in 1849 — replacing rye as the secondary grain with wheat, producing a softer, sweeter, more caramel-forward bourbon character. Buffalo Trace acquired the W.L. Weller label in 1999 and has produced the Van Winkle bourbons using this same wheated recipe since 2002. William Larue Weller BTAC is the most concentrated expression of this foundational American bourbon heritage — the wheated recipe at natural barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered.

The 2022 release reflects the specific barrels Buffalo Trace selected for that year's WLW component. Proof varies annually based on the barrel selection — the 2022 delivers the full wheated mashbill character at whatever natural concentration those specific barrels achieved. Between 10 and 14 years old, with the caramel and vanilla of the wheat mashbill amplified to full cask-strength intensity.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Very deep amber with the concentration of cask-strength wheated bourbon.
• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and the wheat mashbill's characteristic sweetness at full proof intensity — rich, complex, and deeply inviting.
• Palate: Powerful and full — the wheat grain's natural softness paradoxically amplified by cask strength, producing a rich, caramel-forward expression with warm spice and dried fruit.
• Finish: Extraordinarily long — the BTAC hallmark of a finish that evolves rather than simply fades.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 10–14 years
• Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered, cask strength
• Release: 2022 BTAC Annual Release
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full William Larue Weller collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What connects William Larue Weller to Pappy Van Winkle? Both use the wheat-substituted bourbon recipe introduced by W.L. Weller in 1849. Buffalo Trace produces both the Weller lineup and the Van Winkle bourbons using this wheated mashbill. William Larue Weller at cask strength is the most concentrated possible expression of the same recipe behind Pappy Van Winkle.
• Why does the proof vary each year? WLW is bottled at natural barrel proof — whatever concentration the selected barrels reached after 10–14 years of Kentucky maturation. Each year's barrel selection produces a different natural proof.
• How does WLW 2022 compare to the 2015 vintage? Both are BTAC WLW expressions with different barrel selections and natural proofs. The 2015 was 126.6 proof; the 2022 reflects that year's specific barrel concentration. Each vintage is a unique, documented expression of the wheated BTAC program in that year.
• Is the 2022 WLW still available? A rare find. BTAC releases sell out at allocation and are not restocked.