WL Weller 12 Year Review

WL Weller 12-year is a wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace. Its two baby brothers (also wheated) are Weller Special Reserve and Old Weller Antique. While the Weller is the most expensive of the bunch, it has been under $30 every time I have seen it, which makes it a pretty good value for a bourbon of this age. While finding this isn't impossible, it does dry up from time to time. Additionally, it's not found in all states (of course, and sadly, my state of Michigan does not sell it).

WL Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon

WL Weller 12 Year - Tasting Notes

Nose: If you have a sweet tooth (or a sweet nose) this will please you. It initially hits with some heavy sweetness and spice underneath. As the spice fades, burnt sugar becomes more prominent.
Palate: Right in line with nose with the addition of subtle oak. The palate has sweetness from start to finish with spice coming and going.
Finish: Not as sweet as I would have anticipated; the spice and oak are predominant. The sweetness isn't gone, it's just not as forward as it is on the nose and entry.

Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
Price: ~$26




I'm typically a fan of wheated bourbons and this is no exception. I like this much more than the Weller Special Reserve and the Old Weller Antique. It's much smoother and sweeter than those and makes for a very accessible sipper. If you have a friend you want to introduce to bourbon, and who likes their alcohol on the sweeter side, this will probably make a good first impression.

WL Weller 12-Year Bourbon: 8.6/10