Compare
Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Michter's US*1 Small Batch and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $60 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- 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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).