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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
On paper W.L. Weller 12 Year and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so price (~$70 – $180 vs. ~$49 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +7 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$49 – $55 ~$73 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/5 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 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.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon).