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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing W.L. Weller 12 Year and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 | ~$35 – $42 ~$87 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).