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Penelope Architect vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Penelope Architect next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 ~$60 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
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
- 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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice 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, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).