Veteran Bourbon Review: Weller Special Reserve Straight

Official Product Website

History – The Weller brand name is a name that everyone in the bourbon space knows due to the rich history of Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company and which now operates out of Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Stitzel-Weller quickly became known for its wheated bourbon recipe using wheat instead of rye in the mash for a softer, smoother taste.” – Buffalo Trace Distillery. William Larue Weller hired the famous Julian Van Winkle. Weller passed away in 1899, and coincidentally his company, W.L. Weller & Sons, later merged with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery which was owned by his former employee, Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle. They worked together through Prohibition operating under a medicinal license, and eventually became the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company in 1935. This bottle is the most affordable of the three common Weller Offerings that you may see from store to store such as Weller Antique 107 and Weller Full Proof. This bottle was purchased at $30.

Value – This bottle is the most affordable of the three common Weller Offerings that you may see from store to store such as Weller Antique 107 and Weller Full Proof. This bottle was purchased at $30.

Appearance – This bottle comes out as an amber color with a very cool bottle shape. The bottle shape itself reminds me of an older style that fits nicely in your shelf space if that is what is important to you. The green label is inviting and lets you know ahead of time that it is a Wheated label and low proof that this is going to be an easy drinker. This is a cool bottle but also very basic in which it could have been more unique. 

Nose – Hints of dried fruit such as apple and apricot. Very sweet but subtle and rather enjoyable. It is not for an experienced bourbon connoisseur that may like a more complex nose but great for entry level bourbon drinkers that are looking for something that isn’t standoffish but inviting smell. The oak is light but definitely there. 

Palate – Nutmeg and Cinnamon all in one, full of oak flavor, seasoned wood and maple syrup. It is thin on the tongue and palate, and has a very light feel overall. Not overpowering due to its 90 Proof Point. It is sweet and inviting. Pleasant to drink neat but if it was on ice I would pretty much dumb in the sink because it is too light to add anything to it and too good to mix with anything.

Finish – The finish lingers a bit and has a slow drag out for me about 15 seconds later I can still feel the very light burn on my tongue which overall is very very pleasant. I feel that it has some lingering fruitiness to it such as summer fruits. Almost the same that you would get from drinking a scotch but just sweeter.

Summary – There are die hard Weller fans out there and it shows because in many cases you can rarely find any of these on the shelf anymore and some stores will price gauge this brand not because it’s an amazing bourbon but because people feel and think it is via social media and the Buffalo Trace Distillery Brand Name that is now falls under. What drives me crazy is that this bourbon really is a mediocre bourbon that is generally for an entry level market bourbon consumer but is hard to find. People get obsessed with things that they feel that they cannot have and take this product away from new bourbon drinkers that could drink this and become bourbon enthusiasts for life. With its 7.1 rating on our scale I will summarize with this.

Uniqueness – 1-10 – 8

Appearance- 1-10 – 6

Nose- 1-20 – 10

Palate- 1-20 – 13

Finish- 1-20 – 14

Value- 1-20 – 20

7.1

“Purchase Weller Special Reserve at Caskers Here!”