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W.L. Weller Full Proof vs Ancient Age
W.L. Weller Full Proof and Ancient Age sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Full Proof | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +34 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $120 | ~$14 – $18 ~$69 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Full Proof and Ancient Age do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Full Proof Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).