Caramel cube candy | Butterscotch | Green apple | Corn grain | Roasted nuts

Vanilla | Sweet buns | Golden raisin | Caramelized sugar | Thin mouthfeel

Leather | Dry oak | Browned butter | Caramel corn | Black pepper | Ethanol | Short with lingering heat

Traveller Whiskey was first released in January 2024 at 90 proof. It’s a collaboration between Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Chris Stapleton. Wheatley eloquently summarizes the collaboration for the first release: “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."

Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is a blended whiskey, which by legal definition is “Whisky produced by blending not less than 20% on a proof gallon basis (excluding alcohol derived from added harmless coloring, flavoring or blending materials) straight whisky or a blend of straight whiskies and, separately or in combination, whisky of any type or neutral spirits.” While the specific Sazerac-owned distilleries that the components within this blended whiskey originate from are not disclosed, Sazerac confirmed for the 90 proof release that it was a completely unique combination of whiskeys hand selected from multiple distilleries. The Traveller Whiskey line is also the first celebrity collaboration whiskey from Buffalo Trace, though Wheatley and Stapleton are each noted on the label as “Co-Founder.” Traveller Whiskey Full Proof was initially released as a limited release, but is now available nationwide.

Blended whiskey has never really caught on in the United States like bourbon has. Some of it has to do with a lack of understanding of what it actually is, but perhaps more of it has to do with how it tastes. Though blended whiskey doesn’t necessarily follow a prescribed flavor profile, it often doesn’t taste like a classic-tasting bourbon that many are likely familiar with. Unfortunately, what Traveller Whiskey Full Proof offers isn’t going to change anyone’s mind regarding blended whiskey.

The whiskey’s aroma opens in a pleasant enough place, dishing us dominating scents of sweet caramel cube candy, butterscotch, and green apple, along with corn grain and roasted nuts. The palate is also sweet-leaning thanks to vanilla, sweet buns, golden raisin, and caramelized sugar. But it is here where the fault lines begin to show. Grainy heat and a thin mouthfeel are quick to divert your attention from the whiskey's better parts. Even as a whole, the flavor tastes somewhat artificial. This continues into the finish, where notes of leather, dry oak, browned butter, and caramel corn are drowned by a rampant upturn of black pepper, and ethanol. Furthermore, the finish's flavors quickly conclude, leaving you with heat that's reminiscent of grain alcohol.

Sazerac tried their best to get people to care about blended whiskey with the first release of Traveller Whiskey. Though it had a quick moment in the spotlight, attention quickly waned. Though the 90 proof version isn’t bad, it is simple and lacks impact. Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is likely a response to those criticisms, but where high proof bourbon often tends to make a normally lower proof bourbon more interesting or even better in some cases, here, the high proof actually has the opposite effect. The whiskey simply doesn’t have the flavor profile to stand up to the higher proof, and you’re left tasting a whiskey that has more similarities to moonshine or high proof vodka. Moreover, the audience for Traveller Whiskey is likely more casual consumers who are not necessarily seeking out a high proof, further making this expression a head scratcher. Overall, Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is a disappointing release from a company that rarely misses the mark to this degree.