CHRIS STAPLETON AND BUFFALO TRACE’S MASTER DISTILLER HARLEN WHEATLEY UNVEIL TRAVELLER WHISKEY
A first-of-its-kind collaboration from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Traveller is the result of meticulous craftsmanship and a shared commitment to uncompromising quality.
Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton today unveiled Traveller Whiskey, a new premium American whiskey that represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration of collective artistry. Proudly blended and bottled at the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery under Wheatley’s expert supervision, Traveller is the carefully curated result of countless hours of testing, tasting and dedication to craftsmanship that has produced powerful songs and world-class whiskeys.
Of the collaboration, Stapleton shares, “Partnering with Buffalo Trace Distillery and Harlen Wheatley feels like a bucket list scenario for me. Some things just make total sense and this is definitely one of those things. Bottles from barrels that Harlen has cared for have been with us for every note we’ve ever recorded, backstage before shows, and in all the moments we’ve celebrated along the way. I believe what we’ve achieved with Traveller Whiskey not only represents our shared history but a common artistic vision and uncompromising standards of taste. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve made.” Wheatley added: “When making art–and we really do think that both Chris’ music and the whiskey we make at Buffalo Trace is art–you experiment, test, adjust, and don’t give up until you’ve got it right. That’s why we experimented with more than 50 blends before agreeing that Blend No. 40 would be it for Traveller.”
Bottled at 90 proof, Traveller Whiskey is characterized by notes of oak, sweet maple, tart currant, and leather. Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit, and buttery shortbread are rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The flavor profile also showcases a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut, and oak flavors, closing with a robust finish. Traveller is a completely unique combination of whiskeys hand-selected from The Sazerac Company’s award-winning distilleries. “This is a whiskey for everyone, whether you’ve been enjoying all the variety in the category for years or are just now discovering it. Traveller stands up on its own as a smooth and sippable whiskey or works great in a cocktail if that’s more your style,” said Wheatley. “But especially if you’ve tried whiskey before and been turned away by the burn–we think you’ll take one sip of this and think to yourself, “OK, now this I can do.” Born in Lexington, KY, just down the road from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Stapleton’s relationship with Buffalo Trace matured while he recorded his first studio album, Traveller. It was during those recording sessions that he was first introduced to E.H. Taylor, one of the Distillery’s other whiskey offerings, which soon became a staple on his home bar. Since then, Buffalo Trace has collaborated with Chris and Morgane's Stapleton’s charitable fund, Outlaw State of Kind, for numerous fundraising initiatives. Traveller Whiskey will be widely released to retailers, bars and restaurants nationwide beginning this month at a suggested retail price of $39.99 (local taxes and fees will vary). To learn more, visit www.travellerwhiskey.com and follow us on @TravellerWhiskey socials.