Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
W.L. Weller 12 Year and Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$55 – $60 ~$68 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 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky 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.
- Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky: Old Forester given a second barrel, which loads it with dessert notes: toffee, buttercream and milk chocolate over heavy char. Sweet and rich for 93 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 Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky if you want a double-barreled, dessert-sweet bourbon with heavy char at a modest proof at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky).