Latest news with #Weller
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Debuts Two New Bourbons In Its William L Weller Range
The new Weller 18 YO from Buffalo Trace Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery On the eve of the centenary of William LaRue Weller's birth, Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced two new additions to its Weller lineup: the second edition of Weller Millennium, a blend of vintage wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys, and Weller 18-Year-Old, now the oldest age-stated expression in the brand's history. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the two new additions to Buffalo Trace's Weller range. Both bottlings continue the distillery's commitment to wheat-based whiskey. The tradition dates back to 1847 when William Larue Weller chose to use wheat instead of rye in his mash bill. That decision resulted in a smoother, softer whiskey that stood apart from the bolder, spicier styles of the day, heralding the beginning of wheated bourbons. These new expressions build on that legacy, exploring how wheat evolves with extended aging and careful blending. Weller 18-Year-Old marks a milestone as the oldest whiskey to carry the Weller name. Bottled at 90 proof, this ultra-aged wheat whiskey showcases the softer side of extended maturation, highlighting how wheat-based bourbon, when handled carefully, can retain its elegance and sophistication over time. 'This whiskey reflects the patience and precision we apply to every step of the process,' said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. 'Wheat can fade with age, but here it has developed into something remarkably nuanced and expressive.' According to Wheatley, the whisky features 'aged fruit and a hint of tobacco' on the nose. The palate offers 'a mix of baking spice and crisp green pear, with a finish that lingers without overwhelming.' Weller 18 is housed in a 700ml crystal decanter, topped with the same hand-etched stopper used in the Millennium release, though without the accompanying display case. It will first appear in select international airport retail shops, including LAX, JFK, and London Heathrow, starting in July 2025. The suggested retail price is $499 for a 700ml bottle. The Weller Millenium #2 Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery Following the debut release in May 2024, the second edition of Weller Millennium features a new blend of straight wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2001, 2003, and 2006. All were produced at Buffalo Trace and set aside specifically for this limited series. The result is a whiskey with depth, character, and a layered complexity that reflects both time and intention. The mash bill for the Weller Millennium #2 is not disclosed. As it's a blend of wheated bourbon and wheated whiskey, it's unlikely to qualify as a bourbon. 'This second release goes even further than the first,' said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director. 'By working with barrels from the early 2000s, we're not just blending whiskey—we're revisiting a moment in our history.' According to the distillery, Weller Millennium #2 opens with 'notes of dark cherry, butterscotch, and vanilla, with oak taking the lead on a long, warming finish.' The whiskey is bottled at 99 proof (49.5% ABV). It's presented in a custom crystal decanter etched with Weller's original 'W' mark, accompanied by a lit display case that highlights the whiskey's components and their respective distillation years. Only a limited number of bottles will be available starting July 2025 through Sazerac's domestic and international distribution partners, as well as at the distillery and via Legacy de Forge, Sazerac's direct-to-consumer platform powered by Blockbar. The suggested retail price is $7,500, with local taxes varying. For more information on how to obtain these two new bourbons, see the Buffalo Trace website. More From Forbes Forbes America's Top-Rated Wheated Bourbons And Whiskeys: Smooth, Bold And Affordable By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's Best Wheated Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef Forbes Want Alternatives To Pappy And Weller? 10 Top-Ranked Wheated Bourbons By Joseph V Micallef
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Paul Weller unearths a rich seam of forgotten treasures on latest album Find El Dorado...with a little help from Noel Gallagher and Robert Plant
PAUL WELLER: Find El Dorado (Parlophone) Verdict: Weller strikes gold He may be one of the UK's most respected songwriters, but Paul Weller has never shied away from a good cover version. When he was fronting The Jam in the late 1970s, he'd put a frenetic spin on such classics as The Who's So Sad About Us and The Supremes' Back In My Arms Again, songs which spoke volumes about his love of 1960s mod. As The Jam morphed into The Style Council, he turned his attention to 1980s dance by singing Joe Smooth's Chicago house music standard Promised Land, while his solo career has since yielded a covers album, Studio 150, on which he tackled tunes by Noel Gallagher, Bob Dylan and Sister Sledge — an eclectic, if not unexpected, mix. His latest release, Find El Dorado, is more surprising. Drawing on a lifetime of fandom, it focusses on lesser-known pop, country and folk tracks. Cynics will argue that he's simply compensating for writer's block, but there's too much affection here for that to be the case. He grew up listening to these songs, and it feels personal. Sung with character and feeling — plus a collaborative spirit that sees appearances by Noel Gallagher, Robert Plant, Irish singer Declan O'Rourke and producer Steve Cradock — the album shines a light on some of the forgotten moments of the 1960s and 1970s and revitalises them. 'These are songs I've carried with me for years,' says Weller. Old fans might baulk at his eccentricities. 'Guess I'll die with this fever in my soul,' he sings on White Line Fever, country star Merle Haggard's reflection on the loneliness of the touring musician. One Last Cold Kiss, originally by New York rock band Mountain, features lute-like strings. It's all a far cry from The Jam's Going Underground. Elsewhere, a more soulful mood holds sway. Small Town Talk, a Bobby Charles folk-rock number from 1972, is given a swinging makeover. Willie Griffin's rhythmic Where There's Smoke, There's Fire features Nottingham soul man Liam Bailey. Lawdy Rolla, originally by an obscure French act called The Guerrillas, is delivered with gospel fervour. The most intriguing tracks tap into a surreal, melancholy strand of 1970s pop. There's a faithful cover of the baroque When You Are A King, a rags-to-riches fantasy that was a hit for British group White Plains, and a version of singer and actor Brian Protheroe's Pinball. The Bee Gees' haunting 1968 single I Started A Joke is wistful, psychedelic... and a world away from the disco anthems the Gibb brothers would deliver a decade later. On a different note, Duncan Browne's Journey is bright and breezy, illuminated by Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita. The album ends with its most unlikely pairing, Weller duetting with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant on Clive's Song, originally by folk singer Hamish Imlach. With The Modfather and the golden god of blues-rock combining brilliantly, and Plant adding harmonica, it's an inspired collaboration, and one they could take further — Mod Zeppelin anyone? ALICE COOPER: The Revenge Of Alice Cooper (earMUSIC) Verdict: Theatrical and nostalgic Rating: Back with the four surviving members of his original band for the first time since they made two albums — Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle Of Love — in 1973, Alice Cooper lives up to his billing as the godfather of shock rock on an album of high-octane guitar heroics, tuneful power balladry and lots of blood-spattered, tongue-in-cheek humour. With original producer Bob Ezrin back in the fold — and a posthumous appearance from guitarist Glen Buxton, who died in 1997 — there are nostalgic echoes of early hits such as School's Out and Elected. Ezrin, who drilled the band for ten hours a day to create their signature sound in the 1970s, prioritises simplicity over sophistication. 'I'll just watch you while you're sleeping, darling, and decide if I should bite,' sings Cooper, his voice still potent, as the album opens with Black Mamba. With guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith joined by second guitarist Robby Krieger, once of The Doors, the song strikes a macabre note, with Alice in the role of a slinky, venomous snake. From that point on, theatrical rock numbers jostle with ballads. 'We're the wild ones, we live in every town,' roars Alice on Wild Ones, reeling off a string of outlaw cliches that ring a little hollow when you factor in that he's now 77, and more likely to be found on the golf course, or tucked up in bed with a mug of cocoa, than raising hell. Elsewhere, on the Kinks-like Crap That Gets In The Way Of Your Dreams, he ponders what might have happened had he never made it as a singer (he reckons he'd still be making music, and that it would probably have cost him his marriage), while Famous Face is a discourse on empty celebrity ('you're as worthless as a dog with fleas'). He shows a gentler touch on See You On The Other Side, a ballad that pays tribute to the rock star friends he has lost along the way. He spoke of Jim Morrison, Keith Moon and Jimi Hendrix in a recent interview — and we can now add Ozzy Osbourne to the list 'Your rivers went raging by,' sings Alice. It's a poignant finale from a survivor whose inspiration has yet to run dry.
Evening Standard
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Paul Weller recalls shocking moment he was attacked by a lion on the way to a gig
Weller rose to fame as co-founder of The Jam, which he formed in 1972 at the age of 14. The band shot to prominence in the late 1970s with hit albums In The City and This Is The Modern World, becoming icons of the British punk and mod revival scene.
India Today
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Who was Jim Weller? Liberty Steel businessman killed in Ohio plane crash
A tragic plane crash in northeast Ohio has left a community in mourning after six lives were lost just minutes after takeoff. Among the victims were well-known businessman James 'Jim' Weller, his wife Veronica, their son John, and daughter-in-law Maria. The family was en route to Bozeman, Montana, for a holiday when their twin-engine Cessna 441 turboprop went down shortly after departing from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport at 6:53 a.m. on crash took place less than seven minutes after takeoff, only about two miles from the airport. The aircraft slammed into a heavily wooded area near a residential neighbourhood, killing everyone on pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, of Canfield, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, of Hubbard, also perished in the crash. The plane was registered to Meander Air LLC of Warren, Ohio. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are now investigating what led to the Was Jim Weller? James 'Jim' Weller, 67, was not only a successful businessman but also a beloved figure in Ohio's racing scene. He was the owner of Liberty Steel Industries, a company originally founded by his father in 1965. Under Jim's leadership, the company became a key supplier in the region, reinforcing his family's reputation as respected industrialists in northeast beyond the boardroom, Jim Weller had a passion for motorsports. He was a fixture at Sharon Speedway, where he left a lasting legacy as both a racer and a supporter. Weller competed in the Big Block Modified division, winning 36 races and capturing two track championships. His father, Jim Weller Sr., had co-owned Sharon Speedway from 2002 until earlier this year, solidifying the family's deep connection to local Weller family was known for more than their business and sporting achievements. Friends and community members describe them as generous, humble, and always willing to lend a helping hand. 'They were the kind of people who quietly helped others,' said one friend. Aviation expert Mike Hillman, who spoke at a press conference following the crash, reflected on the loss: 'These were the best of the best I'd give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead.'As the investigation continues, the Weller family's impact on their community, in business, sports, and personal generosity, is being remembered with deep respect and sorrow. Their legacy, say those who knew them, will not soon be forgotten.- Ends
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Who was Jim Weller? Steel tycoon, family killed in Ohio plane crash
A plane crash in Ohio claimed the lives of businessman James 'Jim' Weller, his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. The family was heading to Bozeman, Montana, for a vacation when their plane went down just minutes after takeoff, according to The New York Post. Workers are pictured in front of a jet at the Youngstown - Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, Ohio, Monday, June 30, 2025, where a day earlier a plane crashed on take off killing all onboard. (AP) Weller, 67, owned Liberty Steel Industries. He was flying with his wife Veronica, 68, their son John, 36, and John's wife Maria, 34. They had just left Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport at 6:53 am on Sunday. The plane crashed less than seven minutes later - only two miles away - into a wooded backyard near a home. The pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, were also killed. Maxin was an experienced flier and a former assistant prosecutor in Mahoning County. Who was Jim Weller? The Weller family was known across northeast Ohio—not just for their business but also for their ties to the racing world. Jim's father started Liberty Steel in 1965. The company went on to become a key supplier in the region. Jim was also a major part of Sharon Speedway's racing scene. He won 36 races in the Big Block Modified division and was a two-time track champion, per the outlet. Sharon Speedway shared their heartbreak in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened. His late father, Jim Weller Sr., co-owned the speedway from 2002 to 2024.' Ohio plane crash under investigation Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into what caused the crash. The FAA is also helping. A preliminary report is expected later in July. According to 19 News, Fire Chief Raymond Pace called it the deadliest crash the area has seen. The plane reportedly hit a densely wooded area, making rescue efforts more difficult. Aviation expert Mike Hillman told the network, 'These were the best of the best. I wish we could turn back time and take them to breakfast instead.' Local community mourn Jim Weller's death The crash has shaken the local community. The Wellers were known for their generosity and strong family values. People who knew them are sharing memories and making plans to honour their legacy. Friends say they were the kind of people who quietly helped others and stayed grounded, even with all their success. 'These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field as well as the pilots and I can't say enough about them and give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead,' aviation expert Mike Hillman told News 19. ALSO READ: Did American Idol winner Jamal Roberts reject key to city of Laurel? Here's what we know about death threats FAQs Q1. Who was James 'Jim' Weller? A1. Jim Weller was a steel tycoon from Ohio and the owner of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., a company founded by his father in 1965. Q2. What caused the plane crash involving the Weller family? A2. The exact cause is still under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. A preliminary report is expected later in July. Q3. Were there any survivors in the crash? A3. No. All six people on board - Jim Weller, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two pilots - died in the crash. Q4. Where did the plane crash occur? A4. The crash happened less than two miles from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, in a wooded backyard in Howland Township, Ohio.
