Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Evan Williams Black Label
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Evan Williams Black Label reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 | ~$14 – $18 ~$29 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/4 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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.
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).