Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$40 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- 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
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/9 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 2/7 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
oak 4/9 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).