Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 ~$11 less | ~$50 – $62 |
| 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).