5 Best Weller Alternatives

5 Best Weller Alternatives

Buffalo Trace is renowned not just for its marketing but also for producing exceptional whiskey, including a six-bottle lineup honoring Kentucky whiskey distiller William Larue Weller, all falling into the wheated bourbon category. Despite the quality, a significant drawback is the high secondary market prices, with bottles typically retailing for $30-$50 but often sold for $100-$700 due to limited supply. If you're fortunate, you might snag a Weller Special Reserve at MSRP directly from Buffalo Trace; otherwise, consider alternatives that offer a similarly sweet, decadent taste at a more reasonable price. Here are some of the best Weller alternatives for wheated bourbon enthusiasts.

#5. Bernheim Original Wheated American Whiskey

Born just outside Kippenheim, Germany, in 1848, Isaac Woolfe Bernheim arrived in the United States as a teenager with only $4. Originally planning to work in New York City, bankruptcy led him to become a traveling salesman on horseback, selling housewares in Pennsylvania. After his horse's demise, Isaac and his brother Bernard, a recent U.S. immigrant, moved to Kentucky, purchasing and renaming the Pleasure Ridge Park Distillery in 1896. During Prohibition, their distillery was one of the few permitted to operate for medicinal whiskey production. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, a pioneering post-Prohibition spirit, features a unique mashbill predominantly composed of winter wheat, resulting in a soft, sweet flavor with intricate complexity. Distilled in Louisville, Kentucky, the mash, including corn and malted barley, matures for five years in Heaven Hill's Nelson County rickhouses. This exceptional whiskey has earned accolades such as the Pioneer Whiskey of the Year Award and a Double Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with a "94 points" rating and "Exceptional" label from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Buy now for $37.99.

#4. Rebel Distillers Collection

The recipe for this wheated bourbon dates back to 1849 and was originally created by the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in the 1930’s. These barrels are chosen by Lux Row Distillers and retails for about $40. It’s possible to find some of these as store picks, making each bottle that much more unique. Buy it now!

#3. Southern Star Paragon

This wheated bourbon is a little lighter at 92 proof making it a great alternative to Weller Special Reserve and perfect for those who prefer a lower proof. This bottle is made in North Carolina out of Southern Distilling Company and retails for about $50. Buy it now!

#2. Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof A124

The inaugural Larceny Barrel Proof release of 2024 embodies a timeless character. Inside the bottle, you'll find a harmonious blend of six- to eight-year-old bourbons sourced from the wheated bourbon barrels at Heaven Hill. These carefully selected barrels were batched and bottled in their pure, unaltered form, delivering an authentic and unadulterated expression of the whiskey within. Buy it now!

#1. Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat

This wheated bourbon is 100 proof and about $50. It’s a bourbon that feels complete with sweetness from the 73% corn, 15% wheat, and 12% malted barley mashbill. This one will leave you wanting more. Buy it now!