Compare
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Jefferson’s Very Small Batch next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$93 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).