Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$60 less | ~$70 – $140 |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).