Taste for Antique: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery’s award-winning Weller Antique 107 has captivated audiences with its complex flavours for more than half a century.
William Larue Weller, an early Kentucky whiskey pioneer, popularised the slogan ‘Honest whiskey at an honest price’ in the mid-1800s to describe his Bourbon. What set his whiskey apart was the use of wheat as a secondary grain in the mashbill, instead of rye. This distinctive choice resulted in a smoother type of whiskey known today as Wheated Bourbon.
Once a hidden gem crafted at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively, Louisville, Weller has captured the hearts of whiskey lovers since its rise to broader fame in the mid-1900s. In 1999, Buffalo Trace Distillery took the reins, breathing new life into the iconic brand.
Weller is currently produced at the Frankfort distillery, owned by Sazerac, using its signature wheated mash bill. The whiskey boasts an impressive lineup of nine expressions, each one a testament to the legacy of the original Wheated Bourbon.
Weller Antique 107, first introduced as the seven-year-old Original 107 in the 1970s, has become a cult favourite among whiskey enthusiasts. With an ABV of 53.5%, the non-age-statement expression is thought to be a blend of whiskeys aged between six and eight years, resulting in a balanced and complex flavour profile on the palate.
Harlen Wheatley, master distiller of Buffalo Trace Distillery, sums up the appeal of the Bourbon: “Weller Antique 107 is a wonderful marriage of recipe, age, and proof where the sweetness of the red winter wheat recipe is balanced with the higher-proof spirit. It delivers what consumers demand with rich and bold flavour at 107 proof.”
Weller Antique 107 is not only a fan favourite but also a winning horse in the Bourbon race. At The American Whiskey Masters and The Luxury Masters 2024, the expression won two Gold medals. One judge praised Weller Antique 107 for its “sweet, smooth notes of caramel and toffee, with hints of vanilla, meadow nectar, and stone fruits such as peach, plum, and apricot”. Another judge noted that the whiskey was “very drinkable, considering the ABV,” while a third described it as “rich with a sumptuous, long mouthfeel”.
Most recently, Weller Antique 107 was honoured with the title of Spirit of the Year at the 2025 London Spirits Competition, achieving an impressive score of 99 points. Additionally, it was named the World’s Best Wheated Bourbon at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The judging panel described the Bourbon as having “aromas of vanilla custard, peach chunks, and caramel”, adding that “the palate features classic Wheated Bourbon notes of caramel, brown sugar, Rainier cherries, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and robust with lingering vanilla and dried fruit notes.”
Weller Antique 107 is revered as one of the finest high-proof Wheated Bourbons, renowned for its exceptional character and drinkability. Easily recognisable for its burgundy-coloured label, it is available globally, including in the US and Europe, with a recommended retail price of US$60.
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