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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +40 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 ~$13 less | ~$75 – $200 |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/9 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).