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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and W.L. Weller 12 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$70 – $180).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +16 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$73 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/7 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).