Compare
Redemption Bourbon vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Redemption Bourbon 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 | Redemption Bourbon | 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 | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$97 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
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/2 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail 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 Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).