Last Updated on: 10th April 2024, 09:37 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 Woodford Reserve Wheat vs Weller Special Reserve 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
Woodford Reserve Wheat vs Weller Special Reserve: Comparison
Woodford Reserve Wheat: Showcases a unique blend of oak, bread, cinnamon, and apple on the nose, transitioning to a palate filled with cherry, brown sugar, and baking spices. The finish is distinctively dry, emphasizing cinnamon and apple notes at 90 proof. Its creamy texture and unique profile, highlighted by a significant wheat presence, offer a different take on the traditional bourbon experience.
Weller Special Reserve: Features a welcoming aroma of maple, apple, and leather, leading into flavors of caramel, vanilla, and chocolate, with a smooth finish of cinnamon and oak at 90 proof. It’s recognized for its sweet and smooth character, derived from a wheated mash bill, providing a classic representation of wheated bourbon’s soft and accessible profile.
Comparison: Woodford Reserve Wheat and Weller Special Reserve both utilize a wheated mash bill to create soft and approachable bourbons, but they diverge in their flavor profiles and finishes. Woodford Reserve Wheat introduces a higher wheat content, offering a unique, bread-like sweetness with a dry finish, while Weller Special Reserve maintains a classic, sweet wheated bourbon experience with a smoother finish, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Bourbons Similar to Weller
Woodford Wheat: A Sweet & Spicy Surprise with a Dry Finish
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: Woodford Reserve Rye
Woodford Wheat throws a curveball at the nose. Instead of the usual bourbon blast, you get familiar Woodford oak, then a delightful twist of bread and cinnamon-spiced apples.
Take a sip, and you’re met with a creamy texture that coats your mouth beautifully. The flavor profile is sweet and enticing, dominated by cherries, brioche bread, brown sugar, and baking spices. The oak peeks in subtly, adding depth without overpowering.
But here’s the kicker: the finish. It’s dry, drier than any other Woodford, leaving a lingering memory of cinnamon, apple, oak, and spice.
The good news:
- Smoothness: It goes down like silk, with minimal heat, making it a pleasure to sip.
- Flavor: Sweet and engaging, with notes of cherry, bread, spice, and a touch of oak.
- Uniqueness: The dry finish sets it apart from other Woodfords.
The not-so-good news:
- Dryness: It might be too dry for some, especially if you prefer a lingering sweetness.
Overall:
Woodford Wheat is a delicious and interesting wheated bourbon. It’s smooth, flavorful, and has a unique dry finish. If you’re looking for something different from your typical bourbon, this is definitely worth a try. Just be prepared for that dry ending!
Woodford Wheat facts:
- 52% wheat, 20% malt, 20% corn, and 8% rye mash bill.
- No age statement.
- Owned by Brown Forman.
So, should you try it? If you’re adventurous and enjoy dry finishes, give it a go! But if you prefer your bourbon sweeter and smoother all the way through, you might want to stick to the classic Woodford Reserve.
Weller Special Reserve: Smooth & Sweet Wheated Delight
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Larceny
Crack open a bottle of Weller Special Reserve and you’re greeted by a smooth, inviting aroma. Think maple honey, apples, and a touch of aged leather and oak in the background.
Take a sip, and creamy caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon dance on your tongue. As you savor it, hints of dark chocolate and citrus emerge, adding depth and intrigue.
The finish is warming and pleasant, with lingering notes of old leather, spicy cinnamon candy, and oak spice. It’s smooth, almost too smooth, leaving a slightly dry sensation.
Here’s the deal:
- Flavor: Sweet and smooth, with classic wheated bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dark chocolate and citrus add complexity.
- Smoothness: Very drinkable, goes down easy.
- Body: A bit thin, could benefit from more richness.
Good for:
- Wheated bourbon fans: A solid example of the wheated bourbon style.
- Smooth sippers: If you like your bourbon mellow, this is a good choice.
- Everyday bourbon: Affordable and easy to drink, making it a good daily pour.
Not for:
- Bold flavor seekers: If you crave intense flavor explosions, this might be too tame.
- Full-bodied bourbon lovers: It’s a bit on the lighter side.
Weller Special Reserve facts:
- Made with undisclosed wheat (likely around 15%) in the mash bill.
- First bourbon to use wheat as a secondary grain in 1849.
- Aged 4-7 years.
- Gold Medal winner at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Overall, Weller Special Reserve is a smooth, enjoyable wheated bourbon that’s easy to drink every day. It’s not the most complex, but it delivers on the classic wheated bourbon profile at an affordable price. If you’re looking for something with more body and punch, there are other options out there.
How do they differ?
Unlike many wheated bourbons on the market, such as Maker’s Mark, Larceny, or Weller, which typically contain between 10% and 20% wheat in the mash, Woodford Reserve takes it a step further with a high wheated bourbon containing 52% wheat.
This higher wheat content contributes distinctive bread-like characteristics that set it apart and make it particularly intriguing.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Bourbon | Price |
| Woodford Reserve Wheat | $40 |
| Weller Special Reserve | $61 |