W.L. Weller 12 Year Old is the aged centerpiece of the Weller range and one of the most chased bottles in American whiskey. Made in homage to one of bourbon's original aristocrats, it continues to be crafted using Weller's wheated bourbon recipe, pioneered in the 19th century by William Larue Weller, who replaced rye with wheat as the secondary grain to produce a softer, rounder and sweeter bourbon. Aged for a minimum of 12 years at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, it matures far longer than most wheated bourbons, and that extra time in oak is exactly what sets it apart from the younger expressions in the line. Enthusiasts often call Weller the poor man's Pappy, because it shares the same wheated mashbill and the same warehouses as the celebrated Pappy Van Winkle bottlings, which is why shelves empty the moment allocations land. In the glass it shows a beautiful deep bronze. The nose is high spirited and toasty, with creamy vanilla, caramel and molasses joined by lanolin, almond and creamed corn. The palate is heavily wheated, layered and moderately sweet, revealing candied corn, ripe fruit, cocoa powder and dried fruits with a dry, complex, toasty backbone. The finish is long, oaky and intensely smooth, closing elegantly with hints of mint, fruit and vanilla. Bottled at 90 proof, it is best enjoyed neat or with a single large cube so its softness and depth come through. It took a Double Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is the 1 Liter bottle, a third more whiskey than the standard 750ml, which is no small thing on a bourbon this difficult to find.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45% |
| Proof |
90 |
| Size |
1 Liter |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey |
| Age |
Minimum 12 Years |
| Distillery |
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Sazerac Company |
| Mashbill |
Wheated: corn, wheat and malted barley (no rye) |
| Maturation |
New charred American oak |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep bronze.
Nose: Creamy vanilla, caramel and molasses with lanolin, almond, creamed corn and toasty oak.
Palate: Heavily wheated, layered and moderately sweet, with candied corn, ripe fruit, cocoa powder and dried fruits.
Finish: Long, oaky and intensely smooth, with hints of mint, fruit and vanilla.
FAQ
How old is W.L. Weller 12 Year?
It is aged a minimum of 12 years, far longer than most wheated bourbons.
What proof is Weller 12 Year?
It is bottled at 45% ABV, which is 90 proof.
Why is Weller compared to Pappy Van Winkle?
Weller is made at Buffalo Trace using the same wheated mashbill and aged in the same warehouses as the Pappy Van Winkle bottlings, which earned it the nickname poor man's Pappy.
How does Weller 12 compare to Special Reserve?
Both are 90 proof wheated bourbons, but Weller 12 carries a 12 year age statement, giving it deeper oak integration, darker fruit and more complexity. Special Reserve has no age statement and is lighter bodied.
How should I serve Weller 12 Year?
Neat or with a single large cube is best, so its softness and layered depth come through.
Where can I buy W.L. Weller 12 Year 1 Liter online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
