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W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on wheated bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$7 less | ~$49 – $55 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm 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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood with more proof behind it and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).