Last Updated on: 12th April 2024, 08:40 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Garrison Brothers vs Weller in this in-depth comparison and decide which Bourbon is better for You!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Garrison Brothers vs Weller: Comparison
Garrison Brothers Small Batch: A bold bourbon with a strong oak presence, balanced by vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Best enjoyed on the rocks, it appeals to those who favor a wood-heavy flavor profile.
Weller Special Reserve: A smooth, wheated bourbon offering sweet notes of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. Its easy-drinking nature makes it perfect for everyday enjoyment, especially on the rocks.
Verdict: Garrison Brothers Small Batch caters to oak enthusiasts with its robust and bold flavors, while Weller Special Reserve is a go-to for those seeking a smooth, sweet bourbon experience. Each bourbon showcases distinct characteristics appealing to different palates, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Weller Top Alternatives
Garrison Brothers Small Batch: Bold Bourbon for Oak Lovers
- Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Blanton’s Single Barrel
Unique Mash Bill:
Garrison Brothers Small Batch stands out with its unique recipe of 74% organic corn, 14% wheat, and 11% barley, creating a distinct flavor profile.
Oak-Forward Experience:
The aroma offers prominent oak notes, followed by vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The taste is robust with oak spice, a touch of heat, dry grass hints, and underlying cinnamon and maple syrup. The long finish continues the oak spice with a subtle fruitiness and banana.
Water’s Influence:
Adding water enhances the maple syrup notes but also amplifies the oak character throughout.
Bold Flavor:
This bourbon is not for everyone. Its bold nature and pronounced oak presence cater to those who enjoy wood-forward flavors in their whiskey.
Garrison Brothers Small Batch in a Nutshell:
- Unique mash bill with organic corn, wheat, and barley.
- Aged for 3 years in full-sized barrels.
- Silver Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- First legal whiskey distillery in Texas.
Weller Special Reserve: Smooth Wheated Bourbon for Everyday Enjoyment
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Weller Antique 107
Sweet & Smooth:
Weller Special Reserve offers a smooth and inviting nose with dominant aromas of maple honey, apples, and subtle hints of aged leather and oak. The taste is sweet and warming, featuring initial notes of caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon, followed by dark chocolate and orange zest. The finish lingers with aged leather, spicy cinnamon, and oak spice.
Enhanced with Water:
Adding a drop of water reveals additional oak notes and enhances the sweetness, making for a richer experience.
Competent & Enjoyable:
While not the most complex bourbon, Weller Special Reserve delivers the expected smoothness and sweetness of a wheated bourbon. It’s a reliable and enjoyable pour for everyday drinking.
Weller Special Reserve in a Nutshell:
- First wheated bourbon, established in 1849.
- Made with undisclosed mash bill, containing around 15% wheat.
- Bottled at 90 proof and aged for 4 to 7 years.
- Gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019.
- Crafted at the Buffalo Trace Distillery alongside other notable brands.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Bourbon | Price |
| Garrison Brothers Small Batch | $85 |
| Weller Special Reserve | $63 |