Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by proof (90 vs. 87).
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +3 proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 | ~$40 – $45 |
| 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
spice 2/2 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).