Weller Special Reserve
W.L. Weller is a wheated bourbon originally created by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company. The brand is named after William Larue Weller, a distiller who is credited by some as being the first to use wheat as the secondary grain in straight bourbon as opposed to the more commonly used rye. Weller Special Reserve is made using the exact same mashbill and in the same distillery as Pappy Van Winkle. Granted, this particular bottle is only aged for seven years (as opposed to Pappy’s bottom line of 15), but the prospect of getting something even minutely similar to Pappy for a fraction of the price is pretty amazing. If you want a version of this that’s even closer, the brand also makes a 12-year version.
Weller Special Reserve was tasted at Meeting No. 90 on May 28, 2020. Out of 5, we rated it very highly at 3.68. Weller Special Reserve ranks 26th overall in Bourbon. Costing $90, this spirit is on the pricier side, but well worth the money.
Rating Details
Tasting Notes
Suuuper solid bright yet eminently smooth and drinkable wheater. Slightly bitter and woodsy so not perfect, but still a fav. I used to not this as much as the Antique 107, but the lower proof makes it more accessible as a daily drinker, so I'll put that in the win column.
Leather and orange spice with oversteeped tea on the finish. Punches above its weight class.
Smells like cherry cough syrup. Tastes like a salted cherry toffee. Has a lemony and salty finish. Extremely drinkable and a great bourbon for sharing.
1 other member rated this 4.5
5 other members rated this 4.0
9 other members rated this 3.5
1 other member rated this 3.0
1 other member rated this 2.5
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