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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a contemporary, high-rye craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +6 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$45 – $50 ~$78 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
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Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/8 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond: Bardstown's own high-rye recipe, distilled on site rather than sourced. More than a third rye gives it a bright, minty, fruit-and-pepper profile over caramel and light oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond if you want a spicy, fruit-forward high-rye bourbon with the guarantees of a bonded label at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond).