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Penelope Toasted Series vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Penelope Toasted Series and W.L. Weller 12 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$63 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- 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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind 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, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).