Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 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 1870 Original Batch | 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$75 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 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series 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, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).