How to Drink Weller Special Reserve

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 05:23 pm

Discover the best way of drinking Weller Special Reserve: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Optimal Enjoyment: Whiskey expert Neil Coleman suggests enhancing the flavor with a drop of water.
• Smooth Profile: Ideal for neat drinking, thanks to its wheated mash bill.
• Glassware Choice: Glencairn glass or snifter recommended.
• Tasting Notes: Sweet with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus.
• Cocktail Versatility: Great in Bourbon Manhattan, Kentucky Mule, and Old Fashioned.
• Food Pairings: Complements barbecue pork ribs, dark chocolate truffles, salads, grilled salmon, and apple pie.
• Storage Tips: Store in a cool, dark place; consume quickly if below 25%.
• Product Details: 90 proof, 4-7 years maturation, Gold Medal at 2019 Spirits Competition.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Way to Drink Weller Special Reserve

The optimal way to enjoy Weller is by adding a drop of water, according to whiskey expert Neil Coleman, which increases its sweetness and accentuates the oak flavors, thereby enriching the taste.

Weller provides a smooth drinking experience with little to no harshness.

Produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is made using a wheated mash bill.

This leads to a Bourbon that’s smoother and sweeter compared to those that use rye as their secondary grain, embodying the anticipated smooth and sweet characteristics.

As noted by Coleman, “It’s my go-to everyday drink. I’m a big fan of this bottle. It’s quite light, with a prominent wheat character and smoothness.”

Also read: Similar Bourbons to Weller

How to Add Water

The process of adding water requires trial and error: start by sampling it neat, right after pouring, and then slowly add water, one drop at a time, until you find the taste that perfectly matches your palate.

On the Rocks

If you prefer your bourbon chilled, I recommend using whiskey stones to cool it.

This approach prevents dilution of the whiskey while also adding a touch of sophistication to your drinking experience.

Selecting the Right Glassware

For drinking Weller, a Glencairn glass or a snifter is ideal.

These glasses are designed to enhance the whiskey-tasting experience: the Glencairn, with its narrow opening, concentrates aromas towards the nose, amplifying the sensory experience.

The snifter, similarly, has a wide bowl and a narrow top, which allows for a good swirl to release the aromas, while also focusing them as you sip.

Both glasses are crafted to elevate the flavors and aromas of the bourbon, making them excellent choices for a fuller appreciation of Weller.

Tasting Notes

The nose is gentle and mainly sweet, marked by scents of maple honey and apples, with undertones of aged leather and oak.

On tasting, it first presents tastes of caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon, then evolves into dark chocolate with a hint of citrus.

The finish is pleasantly warm and dry, leaving behind lasting flavors of aged leather, spicy cinnamon candy, and oak spice.

Weller Special Reserve in Cocktails

Wheated bourbons like Weller, known for their smoother and sweeter profile, are great for cocktails.

Here are three cocktail recipes that are perfect for a wheated bourbon:

Bourbon Manhattan

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Cherry for garnish
• Instructions:
  • Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  • Add the wheated bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
  • Stir well until chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish with a cherry.

Kentucky Mule

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 4-6 oz Ginger Beer
  • Lime wedge for garnish
• Instructions:
  • Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
  • Add the wheated bourbon and lime juice.
  • Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.

Old Fashioned

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 Sugar Cube (or 1/2 oz Simple Syrup)
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Orange peel for garnish
• Instructions:
  • Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of water.
  • Muddle the sugar and bitters until dissolved.
  • Add ice cubes to the glass and pour in the wheated bourbon.
  • Stir well.
  • Garnish with an orange peel, expressing the oil over the drink.

Food Pairings

Wheated bourbon, with its smoother and sweeter profile, pairs beautifully with a variety of foods.

Here are five food pairings that complement its unique characteristics:

Barbecue Pork Ribs

• The sweet and smoky flavors of barbecue pork ribs complement the smooth sweetness of this bourbon. Weller’s caramel and vanilla notes can enhance the richness of the BBQ sauce.

Dark Chocolate Truffles

• The rich and slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate truffles pairs wonderfully with the sweet and mellow profile of Weller. The chocolate can bring out the bourbon’s subtle sweetness.

Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad

• A salad with blue cheese and walnuts, perhaps with a sweet dressing, can be a great match. The creamy, tangy cheese and the crunchy, nutty walnuts contrast nicely with the smooth, sweet bourbon.

Grilled Salmon

• The oily richness of grilled salmon, especially when seasoned with a sweet glaze, pairs well. The bourbon can complement the salmon’s flavors without overpowering them.

Apple Pie or Tart

• The classic flavors of apple pie or tart, with their sweet and slightly tart notes, are a delightful match. The pastry’s spices and the apple’s natural sweetness can harmonize with the bourbon’s profile.

Preserving the Bottle

• Keep it stored in a cool place with minimal lighting.
• Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to prevent oxidation.
• If the liquid level drops below 25%, it’s best to consume it soon to maintain its flavor.

About Weller Special Reserve

• Proof: 90 proof, equivalent to 45% alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Weller’s mash bill contains an unspecified percentage of wheat, estimated to be around 15%.
• In 1849, Weller pioneered the use of wheat in bourbon mash as the secondary grain after corn.
• The maturation period ranges between 4 and 7 years.
• Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.