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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and W.L. Weller 12 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 ~$55 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Limited 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
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon 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 (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).