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Old Forester 100 Proof vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Old Forester 100 Proof 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 | Old Forester 100 Proof | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$96 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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).