The Weller Special Reserve is today’s review but it is about to lead to rant; consider yourself warned.
Here in the state of New Hampshire the only way for a consumer to get allocated bourbon is via a state raffle (free to enter) or a ghost drop, good luck if you have a job as they tend to be in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week. Today’s bottle was won for me in the raffle by my wife because I refuse to spend money in the state on bourbon anymore. So I usually travel to Massachusetts and if you know the right places you can find it allocated bourbon at MSRP on the shelf somewhat regularly. Why you may ask? Because the state of Massachusetts cares about the consumer. So I make a day trip out of it. Grab breakfast in the bay state, check some stores, score some great bourbon, grab lunch, spend some money in their stores, grab some dinner and head home which is a loss for NH business.
Today’s bottle which was won in the Spring ’25 was held back by the state for the sole purpose of a “random” lottery which my wife was selected for the right to purchase. I put the random in quotations because I have always been outspoken about the state liquor authority and have never won. My wife on the other hand has won 6 of 7 years which has me raise my eyebrows. My disdain for the state mafia controlled liquor has led to a phone call from a representative which was a productive conversation but nothing has changed.
According the bottle, “W.L. Weller was born in Kentucky in the year 1825. After serving with the Louisville Brigade in the 1840s, Weller returned to Louisville to open his wholesale liquor business. He is reported to have used the slogan, “honest whiskey at an honest price.” His wheated recipe bourbon has a softer, smoother that became very popular. Pappy van Winks eventually merged with Weller’s namesake company with the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery to form the Stizel-Weller Distillery. This delicate bourbon with hints of caramel and honey honores one of America’s first whiskey pioneers.”
Whiskey Review: Weller Special Reserve (Green Label)
ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
Age: NAS
Mash Bill: Not Disclosed (Buffalo Trace “Wheated” Mashbill – Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley)
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Location: Frankfort, KY
The Nose: The aroma offers up a surprising amount of depth considering the price point of the bourbon. There is abundance of sour apple on the initial pull with subtleties of cinnamon, vanilla, honey and caramel. Letting the glass sit for a put as I write the introduction/rant for this review subsequent pulls see enhanced vanilla, oak and hint of cherries and peaches.
The Taste: French Vanilla is served up on a platter on the initial sip along side subtle fruit notes of peach, apples and apricots. Subsequent sips see additional vanilla and honey with some cinnamon and oak.
The Finish: The low ABV/Proof allows a lot of sweetness to carry over to the finish. There is some cinnamon on the front side before some candied apricots develop. As the finish begins to fade some toasted oak begins to emerge with some wheat that lingers.
Conclusion: Rant 2.0, consider yourself warned. For whatever reason Buffalo Trace, Weller Special Reserve and Eagle Rare 10 are difficult to find at MSRP in New England. I can’t speak for the rest of the country but there is no reason why these entry level bourbons should be so difficult to procure. I blame the distillery for this and their failure to control the marketplace. Yes, the bourbon boom created growing pains but there is no reason why it is still an ongoing problem. But yet, we bourbon lovers still are faithful to the American made product.
Weller Green Label aka Weller Special Reserve is a great entry level bourbon and at the price it is even better However, we do not let price factor into our scores. Sweet, with an enjoyable finish with a minimal amount of heat this is a really good bourbon to share with friends. Unless you have a hard time finding it, then keep it for yourself. On the grand scheme of bourbon it’s very good and worthy of keeping a few bottles on hand at MSRP.
Score: 92
Price: $27.99 (750 ml)
