Weller Special Reserve

BourbonBuffalo TraceReviewsAmerican WhiskeyWheated

Jan 12

*Weller Special Reserve - Image via Buffalo Trace*

This is where wheated bourbon begins. Weller Special Reserve is the first in the Weller bourbon product line, the most inexpensive, and the most available (though it’s still hard to find in most states except Texas). It’s far from the most impressive, but that’s not the point of this dram, also known as WSR.

William Larue Weller was the first (known) distiller to substitute wheat for rye as the flavoring grain in his bourbon. Bourbon mashbills must be at least 51% corn, but the rest can be any mix of corn, rye, wheat, malted barley, or other grain. By replacing the rye with wheat, wheated bourbons gain a bit more smoothness (yes, I use that word), lose a little spice, and - to me - gains some chocolate and orange zest.

Weller Special Reserve is meant as the entry to wheated bourbons from Buffalo Trace, and at $24 for a 750ml it’s hard to turn down for a newer bourbon drinker. Bourbon snobs look on Weller Special Reserve as a sub-standard product, but I really think it’s an important step in any bourbon drinker’s evolution - you can’t appreciate the excellence of Old Weller Antique 107 or Weller 12 or Weller Full Proof without knowing where th0se come from. Yes, it’s simple, yes it’s lower proof - who cares. If you want to know wheated bourbon, Weller line, or otherwise, you need to try this at least once.

Weller Special Reserve: Specs

Classification: American Bourbon

Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Wheated Mashbill

Proof: 90 (45% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Unknown

Weller Special Reserve Price: $24 (MSRP)

Official Website

Weller Special Reserve Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Straw honey, medium rims and legs.

Nose: Cola syrup, sweet grape, honey with no burn. Lighter and sweeter Buffalo Trace, like a Blanton’s Original profile with less rye spice. Plenty of vanilla and honey, if a bit watered down.

Palate: Slight burn up front dissipates quickly, leaving a more mellowed baking spice over the tongue. Honeyed, sweet for sure, vanilla and dark stone fruits (red plums, dates). Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, oily, and coating.

Finish: Just a slight burn, sweet and drying.

Overall: A good, basic bourbon. For me, I want more heat and more chocolate for a wheater, but I still enjoy this from time to time. If you want a basic wheater with more spice, go for Maker’s - if you want one with more caramel, go for Larceny Bourbon. If you want to try the original wheated bourbon, start here.

Final Rating: 5.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)