Compare
Redemption Bourbon vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$17 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
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).