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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and W.L. Weller 12 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$75 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- 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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a significantly lower price point and 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 (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).