Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat Bourbon: Price & Tasting Notes

Buffalo Trace is releasing Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat, a $549.99 experimental bourbon that swaps spelt wheat for rye in the classic Weller mashbill. This second release in the Daniel Weller series follows the 2023 Emmer Wheat expression, continuing the distillery's exploration of how different wheat varieties shape wheated bourbon. Aged 10 years and bottled at 94 proof, the release ships to select U.S. retailers starting March 2026 in limited quantities.

What You're Getting

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat is a straight bourbon that uses spelt wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain. Spelt is one of the oldest cultivated wheat varieties, rarely used in American whiskey production. Buffalo Trace aged this expression for 10 years without any special barrel treatments or finishing techniques — the distillery wanted the grain itself to do the work. It's bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) and comes in a 750ml bottle with a compass-style stopper. The coordinates of Daniel Weller's original Kentucky farm are engraved beneath the stopper. Suggested retail is $549.99, though actual prices will vary by state and retailer. Availability will be limited and allocated through distributors to select bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.

Why This Release Matters

Most experimental whiskey releases focus on barrel finishing or wood treatments. Buffalo Trace took the opposite approach here — they kept the aging process standard and changed only the grain. That's a rare move, and it gives you a clear look at what spelt wheat actually brings to bourbon. Spelt has been grown for thousands of years, mostly in Europe, and it's known for mild sweetness and a nutty, biscuit-like character. The Daniel Weller series honors Daniel Weller, grandfather of William Larue Weller and a distiller who helped establish the wheated bourbon tradition in Kentucky. Each release in this line tests a different wheat variety to see how it impacts the final flavor. For collectors and bourbon geeks, this is a chance to taste something genuinely different — not just another cask finish, but a mashbill experiment that gets at the foundation of what makes wheated bourbon work.

Flavor Profile

• Nose: Nutty and biscuit-forward with baked cookies, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, light fruit, subtle leather, butterscotch, caramel, vanilla, and oak.
• Palate: Dried fruit with gentle sweetness, baking spice, and a restrained floral, tea-like quality that adds complexity.
• Finish: Long and smooth with soft fruit, nuttiness, light spice, and a fading sweetness that lingers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat cost and where can I buy it?

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat has a suggested retail price of $549.99 for a 750ml bottle, though pricing varies by state due to local taxes and retailer markup. It's being distributed in limited quantities to select liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across the United States starting in March 2026. Because this is an allocated release, availability will be scarce and you'll likely need to check with specialty retailers or ask your local store if they're receiving an allocation.

What makes spelt wheat different from regular wheat in bourbon?

Spelt is an ancient grain variety that's been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily in Europe, and it has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor with biscuit-like qualities. Regular soft red winter wheat, commonly used in Weller bourbons, is milder and softer. Spelt brings more pronounced nuttiness and complexity to the bourbon without the spicy kick you'd get from rye. Buffalo Trace used spelt as the secondary grain in place of rye to see how its unique character would shape the wheated bourbon profile.

Is Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat worth the $550 price tag?

Whether it's worth it depends on what you're after. This is a collectible, limited-edition experimental bourbon aged for 10 years with a unique grain bill you won't find anywhere else. If you're a Weller fan, a bourbon collector, or someone who enjoys tasting rare mashbill experiments, this release offers something genuinely different. At $550, it's priced for enthusiasts and collectors rather than everyday drinkers. If you're looking for solid wheated bourbon without the premium, regular Weller expressions offer much better value.

What is the Daniel Weller experimental series?

The Daniel Weller series is a line of limited-release bourbons from Buffalo Trace that explores how different wheat varieties impact the flavor of wheated bourbon. The series honors Daniel Weller, grandfather of William Larue Weller and an early Kentucky distiller who helped establish the wheated bourbon tradition. The first release was Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat in 2023, and Spelt Wheat is the second. Each release uses a different wheat variety in place of rye, allowing the distillery to showcase how grain selection changes the bourbon's character.

How long is Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat aged?

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat is aged for 10 years. Buffalo Trace chose this maturation period because the whiskey reached its ideal flavor balance and complexity at that point. Unlike some experimental releases that use specialty barrel treatments or finishes, this bourbon was aged in standard barrels to let the spelt wheat itself define the character of the whiskey.