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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Comparing W.L. Weller 12 Year and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$70 – $180 vs. ~$50 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +6 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$50 – $55 ~$73 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
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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
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Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
spice 2/3 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
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 Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).