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Four Roses Bourbon vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Four Roses Bourbon next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$100 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/2 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).