Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Put W.L. Weller Special Reserve next to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$18 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/8 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 4/8 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).