Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 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 | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$58 less | ~$70 – $180 |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone 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, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).