Compare
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Put Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond next to W.L. Weller Special Reserve and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$26 less | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).