W.L. Weller Full Proof Bourbon (750Ml)

W.L. Weller Full Proof comes from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. It honors William Larue Weller. He pioneered using wheat in place of rye in bourbon. That swap gives a softer, smoother style, and this bottle shows it at full strength.

"Full Proof" means exactly that. The whiskey is filled into the barrel at 114 proof and bottled at the same 114 proof, or 57% ABV. It is not chill filtered, so the natural oils and flavors stay in. Buffalo Trace puts it out as a limited annual release.

Pour a glass and you get vanilla, dark cherries and caramel on the nose. The palate feels rich and round. Caramel and toasted oak sit in neat balance, with vanilla in the background. The finish runs long, with crème brûlée and chocolate.

The brand counts 49 awards to date. It took Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That same year it won the Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. In 2023 it earned Double Gold at the New York World Spirits Competition. It also picked up the Masters Award at the 2023 American Whiskey Masters. In 2024 it won Double Gold at the Global Whiskey Challenge and the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition.

Sip it neat, or add a single cube of ice to open it up. Smoked meats, barbecue, aged cheese and dark chocolate all work well beside it. This bottle is for the seasoned bourbon drinker who wants wheated softness with real power.