Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Johnny Drum Private Stock reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 | ~$35 – $45 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Johnny Drum Private Stock do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
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 Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character at a slightly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).