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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Eagle Rare 12 Year next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | 12 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 ~$60 less | ~$70 – $180 |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and 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 (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).