Compare
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and W.L. Weller Special Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by proof (106 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +16 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$30 – $60 ~$8 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with more proof behind it.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).