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Old Forester Statesman vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$73 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).