Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$30 – $60 ~$23 less |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).