Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Redemption Bourbon
Comparing W.L. Weller 12 Year and Redemption Bourbon reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Redemption Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$25 – $32 ~$97 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.
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Redemption Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/7 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Redemption Bourbon 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.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail 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 with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon).