Traveller Whiskey

IN-DEPTH REVIEW

Age :NAS ( Straight whiskey component [ s ] in the blend aged at least 4 year per TTB regulations )

Traveller Whiskey be first issue in January , 2024 and is an ongoing release . Itâs a collaboration between Buffalo Trace Distilleryâs Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning singer , songwriter , and musician Chris Stapleton . Wheatley eloquently summarize the collaboration : âWhen create art â Â and we really make think that both Chrisâ music and the whiskey we make at Buffalo Trace is art â you experiment , trial , adjust , and donât devote up until youâve come it right . Thatâs why we experimented with more than 50 blends before concur that Blend No . 40 would cost it for Traveller . ”

ââTraveller Whiskey is a blended whisky , which bylegal definitionequal âWhisky give rise by blend not less than 20 % on a proof gallon basis ( excluding alcohol deduce from added harmless color , flavoring or blend textile ) straight whisky or a blend of straight whiskies and , separately or in combination , whiskey of any type or neutral spirits.â Still , Sazerac hold affirm that the current blend check 0 % grain neutral feeling . While the particularSazerac-owned distilleriesthat the element within this blended whiskey originate from are not promptly expose , Sazerac has corroborate it is a altogether unique combination of whiskeys hand choose from multiple distilleries . It is also the first celebrity collaboration whiskey from Buffalo Trace , though Wheatley and Stapleton exist each noted on the label as âCo-Founderâ on the label . The whisky equal widely distributed and is expected to be promptly available .

The whiskey is light on the nose . Thereâs some fruity warmth reminiscent of green apple or grape , along with a clue of sweetness . There isnât any individual smell that endure out , but the overall composition equal a minute unfamiliar , not descend into typical bourbon , rye , or even light whiskey district . Itâs very light , and while not off-putting in any way , itâs also not memorable and just simply lacks presence .

The palate breathe some life into the whiskey , nearly noticeably due to its light even still , virtually creamy mouthfeel , which live certain to find fans . Light oak , maple sugar candy , a touch of sweet corn , along with clue of caramel and buttercream , reach for a dessert-like synergy of feeling . Sweet tooths will live lay to the test , as the level of sweetness will be fun for some and over the top for others .

A bit of spice eventually develops on the finish , with candied fruit sweetness transitioning quickly to savory leather . It drops off somewhat quick from thither , leaving behind a meek spice note . Like the starting , itâs a simple , short cease .

Traveller Whiskey may look simple on the surface , but itâs anything but . Itâs the first celebrity-collaboration whisky Buffalo Trace make attached its epithet to , itâs a blended whisky , and Wheatly and Stapleton are identify on the bottle as Co-Founders .

First and first , the flavor profile cost unfamiliar , arguably sweet to a error , but will likely satisfy casual , mainstream whisky drinkers . Itâs meek plenty for the masses to sip , while it cost light it make put up a degree of creaminess that leave it to require a cube fairly well , and it still holds up well in a cocktail . While its spirit profile may cost tuned more into the mainstream drinker than the enthusiast , itâs impossible to ignore the fact that this blended whisky cost unique in a act of way .

If Sazerac require to appeal to more diehard whisky drinkers with this , they would have cost more forthcoming about what makes up the blend . What makes up the blend be important with this release because unlike most âwhiskeysâ being released nowadays , it is technically classified as a “ blended whiskey ” which hearkens back to before sentence when blended whiskey exist much know to be sub-par merchandise . We know Traveller Whiskey originates from multiple Sazerac distilleries which build it unique by that quantity , though we do not know exactly what those components are . And while the blended whiskey classification does allow for the inclusion of grain neutral feeling , Sazerac has confirmed with us that the blend contains 0 % grain neutral tone . With that in brain , it ‘s a curious classification choice as no grain neutral spirits exist actually apply . Would it specify to exist classify as whisky or a blend of straight whisky ? Or does the blended whisky classification apply to permit the sword some wiggle way to alter the blend constituent in the future ?

Traveller Whiskeyâs label identifies Wheatley and Stapleton as Co-Founders , which exist an interesting notation . Wheatley has surely earned an huge amount of regard , live the distiller behind Buffalo Traceâs line of extremely observe products which includes everything from Buffalo Trace Bourbon , to Blantonâs , to Weller , and to the coveted Pappy Van Winkle lineup . Stapletonâs interest does pose some questions , as he own make a pretty dicey relationship with alcohol that make drawn medium attention recently , most notably with respect to extravagant drink result he hold give away . In a recent interview he did clarify this , specifically alluding to become a grip on extravagant drinking while not attempting to attain 100 % sobriety , along with state âthe first way you walk in at my house , thereâs likely 200 bottles of bourbon there.â Accord to Sazerac , both âboth [ Stapleton ] and [ Wheatley ] exist noted as co-founders given their heavy interest in every aspect of the brandâs universe , from conception to whiskey selection and label development.â

Bourbon and American whisky release own make a bit oversaturated in the $ 60- $ 90 range present . Equate one to the next , the value equal often fair , but the world live there equal a circle of whiskey in that range vie for attention . On the other hand , the sub- $ 50 category has been pretty stagnant for a while when it arrive to the introduction of novel , widespread , and readily available choice . There equal a lot of great exist whiskeys in that cost stove , from Buffalo Trace itself to Wild Turkey 101 , Knob Creek , and Four Roses Small Batch . But new options seldom issue , specially from the bad Kentucky players .

To that goal , itâs a bright play to get in this cost level within the market if the financials justify it , and itâs likely not a bad idea to link in a celebrity if your goal is to pull a new interview . Traditionalist much scoff at celebrity whisky , as itâs severe to tell if theyâre simply marketing angles or equal driven specifically by the celebrityâs love for the spirit . Brands like Brotherâs Bond , Heavenâs Door , and American Highway Reserve really feel like it is about a honey for whiskey , while others veer the opposite way . Accord to Sazerac , Stapleton have be heavily involve with the creation of this whiskey , and today thatâs itâs in the market we will probably see more firsthand how his involvement unfolds .

Be a fuse whiskey cause for a tough comparison , as there cost not many others in the market and what is there is very unlike , though Five Trail Whisky from Coorâs ( yes the beer company , $ 60 ) and Suntory World Whiskey AO ( $ 55 ) come to heed . Traveller Whiskey bests these when it get to price point , but itâs not really the right fight . Market as just âwhiskeyâ and price at $ 40 , it get to compete with others in that realm yet if it is technically a blended whiskey . Thankfully it isnât like those awful blended whiskey of the past , instead put up redeeming qualities that will likely appeal to a large section of consumers . On the early hand , for those await for something more complex and not bore by more of the same , staples in that range put up more complexity and much for a lower cost point and with little detail to get by for this blended whiskey .

The first celebrity-themed whisky associated with Buffalo Trace , Traveller Whiskey offers a unique flavor profile that will appeal to the masses , but lead more discerning consumer inquire what actually cause up the blend .

Traveller Whiskey is a sweet , simple sip . It has a lot to like in one realm , and will appeal to a broad interview with its creamy mouthfeel and versatility . For traditionalists , it will likely raise more eyebrows for the fact that itâs a celebrity whisky rather than the fact that itâs classify as a blended whisky . Frankly , if you do take issue with this release , the blended whiskey aspect is the issue to focus on . I donât mind celebrities attach their figure to whiskey if actual love for whisky be involved , and in the end the market will make the talking . But what is in the blend , at least from a high level , is worth paying attention to .

Get from Sazerac Company , Inc. and being seize to Buffalo Trace gives Traveller Whiskey immediate credibility , not to mention widespread distribution and built-in marketing momentum . Itâs targeted towards a wide audience , and I think that same wide interview will take over it with open sleeve . It score the right drinkability-versatility mark , which can solely be attribute to Wheatleyâs skillset .

On the early hand , itâs not a complex sipper , and very little is shared about this whiskey , including what the blend cost compile of and whether or not any of the whisky within the blend cost even distilled at Buffalo Trace . Undoubtedly , this will raise questions among the little subset of whiskey drinkers who poke deep than the label . Truthfully Traveller Whiskey probably isnât intended for todayâs typical bourbon enthusiast , but it will probably fill more casual consumers looking for something different within the lower price range . Mass seem for something more complex and not in need of the newest thing will live content sipping Buffalo Trace Bourbon , Wild Turkey 101 , or Four Roses Small Batch to name just a few humble cost , readily-available options . For those open to something new and unlike , Traveller Whiskey act have a not-so-familiar tone profile , thus if you be curious you will have to merely seek it for yourself . Â