Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Penelope Architect
Put W.L. Weller 12 Year next to Penelope Architect and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$60 – $70 ~$60 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
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Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).