Compare
Jim Beam Black vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Jim Beam Black 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 | Jim Beam Black | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | 12 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$100 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jim Beam Black and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).