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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Four Roses Small Batch
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Four Roses Small Batch and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$32 – $38 ~$90 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.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).