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Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon and W.L. Weller 12 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$40 – $45 vs. ~$70 – $180).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | 12 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $45 ~$83 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year does 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
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
spice 2/2 spice: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it.
Best enjoyed rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).