Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
W.L. Weller 12 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$45 – $55 ~$75 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Michter's US*1 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/4 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 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.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).