Traveller Blend No. 40 Whiskey by Chris Stapleton 1.75L

Traveller Blend No. 40 Whiskey by Chris Stapleton 1.75L is a 90-proof (45% ABV) Kentucky blended whiskey created through a collaboration between Buffalo Trace Distillery and 11-time Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton. Selected from over 50 trial blends, Blend No. 40 combines Canadian whiskey with bourbon from Barton Distillery, all blended and bottled under Buffalo Trace's supervision in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Blended Whiskey (NAS)  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States, traces its roots to 1773 on the banks of the Kentucky River in Frankfort. Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley worked directly with Stapleton to develop Traveller, trialing over 50 different blends before landing on the final Blend No. 40 recipe. The whiskey marries a significant component of Canadian whiskey with Kentucky bourbon distilled at Barton Distillery — notably, Sazerac has confirmed the blend contains zero grain neutral spirits, distinguishing it from many blended whiskeys on the market that rely on neutral spirit as filler.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla and buttery shortbread before moving into aged fruit and caramel. A gentle thread of toasted oak ties the bouquet together without overwhelming the sweeter top notes.

Taste: The entry is restrained, with just a touch of sweetness yielding quickly to warm honey and ripe orchard fruit at mid-palate. Baking spice, toasted nut, and oak build through the center, layered with a subtle hint of leather that adds depth.

Finish: The finish is robust and moderately long, carrying the oak and spice notes forward. Dried fruit and a faint caramel warmth linger as the whiskey fades.

How to Drink Traveller Blend No. 40

At 90 proof, Traveller holds up well neat or with a single large ice cube, which tempers the spice and lets the fruit and vanilla notes expand. A splash of water opens up the honey and shortbread character without diluting the backbone. For cocktails, this blend works in several classic builds:

• Old Fashioned — The vanilla and caramel base pairs naturally with bitters and a sugar cube, making a rich, balanced drink.
• Whiskey Sour — The orchard fruit notes complement fresh citrus, keeping the cocktail from tasting one-dimensional.
• Highball — The lighter blended profile and moderate proof produce a refreshing, easy-drinking long serve with quality ginger ale or soda water.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for regular mixed-drink use — the 1.75L format provides value for high-volume serving
• Hosting game-day gatherings or large parties where a crowd-friendly whiskey is needed
• Gifting a Chris Stapleton fan who also appreciates bourbon and American whiskey
• Exploring blended whiskey as a style distinct from straight bourbon or single malt

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Traveller Blend No. 40 taste like? Traveller Blend No. 40 leads with vanilla and warm honey, followed by baking spice, toasted oak, and ripe orchard fruit, finishing with a robust oak-and-dried-fruit fade.

How does Traveller Blend No. 40 compare to Buffalo Trace Bourbon? Both share a vanilla-forward sweetness and oak backbone, but Traveller's Canadian whiskey component introduces a lighter, slightly fruitier character compared to Buffalo Trace's more corn-driven caramel richness. Traveller is also bottled at a slightly higher proof (90 vs. Buffalo Trace's 90), making them comparable in intensity while differing in grain profile.

Is Traveller Blend No. 40 good for cocktails? Yes — the blend's approachable sweetness, moderate proof, and absence of grain neutral spirits give it enough flavor to stand up in stirred and shaken cocktails without the harshness found in some blended whiskeys.

Where is Traveller Blend No. 40 made? The whiskey is blended and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, using bourbon distilled at Barton Distillery and a Canadian whiskey component, both owned by parent company Sazerac.

What foods pair well with Traveller Blend No. 40? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the whiskey's oak and spice mirror the smoky char; sharp cheddar cheese, which contrasts the vanilla sweetness; pecan pie, echoing the toasted nut notes; grilled stone fruit like peaches, complementing the orchard-fruit character; and dark chocolate with sea salt, which draws out the caramel finish.

What sizes does Traveller Blend No. 40 come in? Traveller Blend No. 40 is available in a standard 750ml bottle and in the larger 1.75L handle format featured here.

Is Traveller Blend No. 40 worth the price? Traveller positions itself as an accessible, everyday blended whiskey — particularly in the 1.75L format, which offers strong value for those who use it regularly in cocktails or as a go-to pour for entertaining.

Why Traveller Blend No. 40?

The selection process behind Blend No. 40 — over 50 blends tested before Stapleton and Wheatley agreed on the final recipe — reflects genuine creative involvement rather than a typical celebrity label deal. The use of bourbon from Barton Distillery blended with Canadian whiskey, with no grain neutral spirits in the mix, puts it in a different lane from many mass-market blended whiskeys that cut costs with neutral spirit. At 90 proof and in a 1.75L format, it delivers enough character for sipping while offering practical value for high-volume cocktail use. For drinkers curious about blended American whiskey as a category — or for Stapleton fans looking for a bottle with real Buffalo Trace involvement — Blend No. 40 fills a specific and underserved niche.