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Woodford Reserve vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Woodford Reserve and W.L. Weller 12 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $42 ~$87 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong 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 neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).