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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Weller Special Reserve is one of the most well-loved spirits because of its undeniable smoothness.
Its sweet flavor profile has captured the hearts of every bourbon lover, not to mention its 13 awards from prestigious award-giving bodies.
By popular demand, here’s our review on Weller Special Reserve- price, tasting notes, and other interesting facts about the wheated bourbon.
About Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
Weller Special Reserve Bourbon is an original wheated bourbon whiskey with an exceptionally smooth taste, substituting wheat for rye grain. It contains 45% ABV and is great for sipping or making cocktails.
If you have a thing with sweet whiskeys, the flavor notes of Weller Special Reserve will hit the spot. The bourbon stands out, and its flavor profile is pleasing on the palate when you drink it.
Interesting Facts
History & Origin
The Stitzel-Weller Distilling company created W.L Weller, and it is one of the three bottle expressions released on an ongoing basis. The bourbon is named after William Larue Weller, credited for using wheat in straight bourbon [1].
Production & Maturation
The unique mash bill will be cooked, fermented, and distilled at the Buffalo Trace distillery. It is distilled in large column stills using modern bourbon-making techniques and aged in new charred oak barrels between 4-7 years for its burnt orange color.
Mash Bill
Corn is the primary grain of Weller Special Reserve, but instead of rye, the bourbon whiskey features wheat as the secondary grain.
The exact ratio of mash bill is not disclosed, but the smoothness of the spirit is a result of substituting the secondary grain.
Ownership & Distillery
The brand is owned by the Sazerac Company, home of 450 distilleries, and it operates in the US and other parts of the world [2].
Buffalo Trace Distillery is the producer of the spirit, and it is located in Kentucky, USA. Named after William Larue Weller, the distillery offers different W.L collections.
Tasting Notes
- Palate – Rich tasting notes of butterscotch, caramel, honey, vanilla, oak, light fruit, soft woodiness, and spices
- Nose – Classic aroma of caramel, honey, and vanilla with a light trace of oak and floral notes pleasing on the nose
- Color/Hue – Burnt orange
- Finish – Delicate, calm, and pleasant finish with hints of honey and oak.
Common Weller Special Reserve Bourbon Price
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Weller Special Reserve Bourbon | 750 ml | 45% | $84.99 |
| 1.75 L | $251.99 |
*Average prices are based on Caskers online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Compared to Other Bourbons
Redemption Wheated Bourbon
Redemption bourbon can be a cheaper alternative to the Weller bourbon because you can score a 750 ml bottle for roughly $45.99 on Drizly online. Redemption uses 45% winter wheat and contains 48% ABV, which is higher than Weller Reserve.
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon
Old Elk is cheaper than Weller and more expensive than Redemption because a bottle may cost you approximately $69.99 on Drizly online.
Bottled at 92 proof, Old Ek is a delicious and well-balanced whiskey and is ideal for drinking neat because of its smoothness and sweetness on the nose and palate.
Wheat Penny Bourbon
A bottle of Wheat Penny is around $42.99 on Drizly online if you are looking for another good alternative. It has a savory flavor up front with notes of cinnamon, honey, oak, vanilla, mesquite smoke, and salted caramel spice.
Read:
- Our Top Weller Bourbon Bottles
- Our Top Wheated Bourbons Below $100
- Weller Special Reserve vs 107 Bourbon
Popular Weller Special Reserve Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
Manhattan
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Whiskey
- 1 oz Italian vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Lemon twist/cherry (garnish)
Instructions:
In a mixing glass, stir whiskey, bitters, and vermouth with ice until chilled. Strain in a cocktail glass and top it off with a lemon twist and cocktail cherry.
Serving: 1
Old Fashioned
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz whiskey
- 1 tsp water
- ½ tsp sugar
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (garnish)
Instructions:
Get a rocks glass and dissolve the sugar and bitters in the water. Fill the glass with ice cubes, add the booze, and gently stir until combined. Top it off with an orange peel before serving.
Serving: 1
FAQs
Is Weller Special Reserve rare?
Weller Special Reserve is rare because it has excellent quality and impressive flavor notes. Because of its limited production and high demand, it would be hard to find a bottle in liquor stores, and sometimes, you have to pay sky-high prices.
Is Weller Special Reserve like Pappy?
Yes, Weller Special Reserve is like Pappy, and it is considered a long-standing backup because they are both distilled by Buffalo Trace. Moreso, they share the same barrel entry proof, specifications, and mash bill.
Final Thoughts
Weller Special Reserve whiskey features an exceptionally pleasant and balanced flavor profile, thanks to its flavoring grain. The softer flavor notes make the wheated bourbon great to drink neat or on the rocks.
The brand managed to maintain the rock-solid posture of the spirit as an easy-to-enjoy, sweet, and everyday pour spirit. Try one now!
Reference:
- https://completely-kentucky.fandom.com/wiki/William_L._Weller
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/sazerac
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
