Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put W.L. Weller Special Reserve next to Old Forester 86 Proof and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$20 – $26 ~$22 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.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).