Compare
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon and W.L. Weller Special Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by proof (87 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $45 | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
spice 2/2 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group.
Best enjoyed rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).