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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs George T. Stagg
W.L. Weller 12 Year and George T. Stagg sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | George T. Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +53 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 ~$350 less | ~$150 – $800 |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and George T. Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year George T. Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/10 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, George T. Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, George T. Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, George T. Stagg 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, George T. Stagg 3 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.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat (George T. Stagg).