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Old Forester 100 Proof vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to W.L. Weller Special Reserve and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$26 – $32 ~$16 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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).