Review: Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection – Wheated Bourbon Warehouse Floor Experiments
Last summer, Buffalo Trace released a series of three experimental whiskeys, each aged on a separate floor of its wooden-floored Warehouse K. These rye-heavy bourbons were as different as night and day — and now BT is back to do the same experiment again, this time with wheated bourbons.
The experiment is otherwise the same as with the rye bourbons: 15 barrels placed in Warehouse K, five each on floors 1, 5, and 9, for 12 years. The point, as I mentioned last time, is that heat rises: Lower level warehouse floors are cooler than the ones at the top, and heat (more specifically variations between hot and cold throughout the day) is a significant factor in the way Bourbon ages.
All are bottled at 90 proof. Here’s how they stack up.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon – Floor #1 – Lots of wood on this, but some butterscotch and brown butter notes help to temper the essence of the lumberyard which otherwise dominates. The body is both a bit astringent and a little watery, all of which combines to give this whiskey a slug of sweetness that settles uneasily atop a somewhat racy but lightly bitter backbone. The finish is tough, with an enduring vegetal character. C+
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon – Floor #5 – What an incredibly different experience this is, those butterscotch notes dominating some light cereal character underneath. Over time, more wood character comes to the forefront, with the finish offering a blend of both sweet and savory notes. Look for some dried mango, some cloves, and a little red berry fruit on the back end. B
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon – Floor #9 – As with the rye, this wheated collection shows that up top is where it’s at. The core character remains the same — butterscotch plus melted, lightly burnt butter notes — but they’re elevated here by notes of baking spice, red pepper, and the essence of campfire smoke. Silky caramel and marshmallow (roasted?) are big on the finish, along with notes of brewed tea and some baking spice. Lots to enjoy, but it’s also got a punchiness that turns it into an interesting conversation piece. A-
each $46 (375ml) / buffalotracedistillery.com
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon – Floor #1
$46
These experimental bourbons sound intriguing and I wouldn’t mind trying some samples and I know that my son-in-law would probably like to try some too!!!!
I’m a big fan of Wheated Bourbons and would love to try these. But as far as I know, they haven’t been released here in Georgia (well…been in contact with all my go to liquor stores and THEY haven’t seen them). That’s been the same issue with many of the BTEC selections.