Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Penelope Toasted Series
Comparing W.L. Weller 12 Year and Penelope Toasted Series reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$55 – $70 ~$63 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).