Compare
W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Comparing W.L. Weller 12 Year and Wild Turkey Rare Breed reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$45 – $55 ~$75 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/8 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
heat 3/8 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).