Weller Special Reserve Review: A Case for the Comfort Pours of the World
- Jes Smyth
- 4h
- 4 min read
Updated: 1h
Today marks the one-year anniversary of joining Amongst The Whiskey as a contributing writer! To commemorate the day, I thought I'd share two things I absolutely adore: writing and whiskey. Lucky for me, it didn't take long to come up with a bottle to cheers the occasion with. Lucky for you, I have a gripping tale of how Weller Special Reserve entered my life and the irreversible effects it's had on me since.
For those curious about the Weller lineup (Buffalo Trace's wheated mash bill), whether some are worth the hunt, or where the name originated from (pretty cool bourbon history lives on in this brand), I highly recommend you check out the many articles available right here on AmongstTheWhiskey.com. For now, sit back, pour a dram you can sink into, and come along as I send us back in time to the year 2021.
It was winter and cold—February cold (if you live in the Midwest, you know what that means). Grappling with a mad case of cabin fever (unprecedented given the times), I often found myself visiting liquor stores. Not for a re-up on the alcohol I had drunk too quickly, but to foster a new hobby, alongside adult coloring books, I had started during lockdown: exploring the wonderful world of American whiskey. I would later come to find out that many enthusiasts' origin stories began during lockdown. Another story for another time, perhaps.
There I stood, wrapped in all the cold-weather gear, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead as I gazed appreciatively at rows upon rows of whiskey. I often felt transported looking at the names, labels, proofs, ages, mash bills, bottled at locations, and distilled by DSPs. The bottles could have been works of art, and the store a museum. I wasn't searching for anything in particular; instead, I was getting to know what was on display a little bit better. On this particular evening, a pretty green label with gold lettering had caught my eye. I'd never seen it before. It was a row up from the bottom shelf and appeared to have a screw top. I stepped forward to inspect it further when a fellow customer approached, wearing what could only be described as an Indiana Jones hat.
"Have you had this one?" I asked because he was wearing an Indiana Jones hat, and I liked that.
"I have. It's been a long time, but I highly recommend it," is what I believe he said, but let's be honest, this was several years ago now.
I don't know if it was the hat, the cold, or an instinct that this bottle would become a comfort pour for years to come, but I grabbed one. And, after a moment's hesitation, Indy grabbed one too. And that was when a stranger's simple and easy recommendation further solidified my growing obsession with American whiskey.
Inevitably, my palate has matured over the years and, as such, certain whiskeys that I once adored could now be considered drain pours. Weller Special Reserve (or Weller's Green, as my dad affectionately calls it) is one such bottle that has remained steadfast and true. So, without further ado, I'll dive into one of my favorite comfort pours.
Company on Label: Buffalo Trace
Whiskey Type: Wheated Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Buffalo Trace wheated bourbon mash bill (>51% corn)
Proof: 90°
Age: NAS
MSRP: $29.99 (2025)
Further Identification: Purchased in 2024 for MSRP
Nose: Soft and inviting, vanilla buttercream and cinnamon sugar waft effortlessly out of my glass. It's a hefty nose for the proof point, but with a silky aroma that many wheated bourbons are best known for. Swirling reveals melted caramel, and an overflowing dish of mixed summer berries sprinkled generously with table sugar absorbing into every nook of that top plump strawberry. There's also woodiness to the nose, transporting me to old fallen branches on a forest floor in desperate need of rain. After a few more appreciative sniffs, I think it's time for a sip! Returning to the nose, I can't help but compare what I find to what opening a book you've read several times already feels like; you know what to expect, and yet you're anticipating every word like it's the first. The aromas remain constant and true as the liquid disappears. The empty glencarin smells of ripe and fallen apples, pallet boards, and freshly packed hay bales.
Palate: Hello, sweetness! The fruit is front and center, specifically apples dipped in caramel sauce, before the flavors swing into a present but subtle black pepper quality. Another sip transforms the spice into cinnamon and sugar, the apple note still lacing throughout, and a dollop of vanilla cream dances across my tongue. The mouthfeel is agreeable for the proof, coating but not oversaturating my tongue. And while the complexities of this pour are anything but, the clear presence of those classic bourbon notes mingling together reminds me of spending time with old friends, laughing and sharing stories from days long past. My final sip excites with a pop of cream soda before the flavors sink into a warm and comfortable farewell.
TL;DR: a pour you can sit down and get comfortable with
Rating: 3.5/5
From my first encounter with Weller Special Reserve to every pour since, it's been a steady, comforting presence. It doesn't shout for attention or prestige but embodies familiarity, and easy enjoyment—a bottle that delivers classic quality without pretense. And I truly believe everyone deserves a bottle like that on their shelf!
