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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Blanton’s Single Barrel and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +3 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$30 – $60 ~$70 less |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).