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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Put Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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 | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$30 – $60 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Limited 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
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/2 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 7/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
- 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, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).