Compare
Evan Williams Black Label vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label 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 | Evan Williams Black Label | 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$29 less | ~$30 – $60 |
| 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
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).