Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
W.L. Weller 12 Year and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond are cut from similar cloth: two takes on wheated bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +3 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 ~$20 less | ~$110 – $180 |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
spice 2/2 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).