Weller Special Reserve (Weller SR) – The Original Wheated Bourbon

Weller Special Reserve is often called the “Poor Man’s Pappy” due to its close relationship with the famed Van Winkle line—it shares a wheated mashbill and is made by the same distillery, Buffalo Trace. The key difference? Weller SR is far more accessible (in theory) and delivers a smooth, soft flavor profile at a lower proof, making it ideal for everyday sipping.

This bourbon introduced many to the wheated style—where wheat is used instead of rye as the secondary grain—resulting in a gentler, sweeter bourbon that’s round and mellow.

Brand: W.L. Weller
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Type: Wheated Bourbon
Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
Mashbill: Undisclosed (wheat replaces rye in the mash, similar to Pappy Van Winkle)
Age: No age statement (estimated around 4–7 years)
Origin: Kentucky, USA