Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$45 – $55 ~$75 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/4 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).