Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Jim Beam Black
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Jim Beam Black and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +5 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$22 – $28 ~$100 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Jim Beam Black do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
spice 2/4 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).