Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Old Forester Statesman
Put W.L. Weller Special Reserve next to Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$8 less | ~$50 – $55 |
| 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).