W.L. Weller Special Reserve in a one-litre bottle. It is Buffalo Trace's 90-proof wheated Kentucky straight bourbon, a soft, sweet bourbon made on the same wheated recipe as the rest of the Weller range.
About This Bourbon
Special Reserve has no age statement. It is bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof), and Buffalo Trace notes its burnt-orange colour and gentle style. Straight bourbon status means at least two years in new charred oak, with nothing added except water to bring it to bottling strength. The one-litre bottle holds a third more than a standard 750mL.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Sweet, with caramel to the fore.
- Palate: Honey, butterscotch and a soft woodiness; smooth, delicate and calm.
- Finish: Smooth and sweet, with a light honeysuckle note.
Serving & Food
Try a Paper Plane, Buffalo Trace's signature cocktail for Special Reserve: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice in equal parts, shaken. It is also easy neat or on the rocks. Serve with char siu bao, grilled corn or cornbread with honey butter.
How to Enjoy
Everyday bourbon for the home, and a good first bottle for someone trying wheated bourbon.
Product Details
Producer / Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Expression: W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Category: Kentucky straight wheated bourbon
Age: No age statement
ABV: 45%
Proof: 90
Volume: 1L
Mash Bill: Wheated (corn, wheat, malted barley)
About the Distillery
The word wheated explains the style. Every bourbon must be at least 51% corn, and most distillers add rye as the second grain, which brings pepper, spice and some bite. Weller uses wheat instead, which gives a rounder, bready sweetness and lets caramel and honey come through.
In a bottle with no age statement, that choice of grain does a lot of the work. Wheat keeps a younger bourbon soft and sweet, which is why Special Reserve is often the bottle people are handed when they first try bourbon.
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