Weller 12 Year Old
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Weller 12 Year Old is a highly debated wheated bourbon that is generally praised for its approachable, smooth profile and exceptional nose, but frequently criticized for its low proof. While many enthusiasts enjoy its sweet notes of cherry, plum, and butterscotch, others find the 90-proof delivery results in a thin mouthfeel and a disappointingly short finish. It is widely considered an excellent value at MSRP, though there is a strong consensus that it does not live up to the high prices often found on the secondary market.
Pros
- Extremely smooth and approachable drinking experience
- Exceptional aromatic profile (nose)
- Sweet flavor notes including cherry, plum, and butterscotch
- Significant step up in quality from Weller Special Reserve
- Excellent value when found at MSRP (approximately $50)
Cons
- Low 90-proof leads to a thin or 'watery' mouthfeel
- Short finish that lacks lingering complexity
- Lacks the depth of higher-proof wheated bourbons
- Often described as 'overrated' relative to its hype and secondary pricing
Caveats
- Secondary market prices (often $100-$300+) are widely viewed as not worth the investment
- The screw-top bottle and low proof suggest it was intended as a high-quality daily drinker rather than a 'unicorn' bottle
- Performance in blind tastings is mixed when compared to higher-proof competitors
Best for
- Fans of smooth, low-proof wheated bourbons
- Bourbon drinkers who prioritize aroma and easy sipping
- Those who can source it at or near retail price
Avoid if
- You prefer high-proof or barrel-proof bourbons with intense finishes
- You are looking for a complex, heavy-bodied mouthfeel
- You have to pay significant secondary market markups
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~406 days), which is common for stable spirits, but users should be aware that market pricing and availability may have shifted since these discussions.
Sentiment
29 positive (69%) · 9 mixed (21%) · 4 negative (10%)
Trust + time weighted score: +62% · raw score 60%
What redditors said (10 of 42)
A real upgrade from weller 12 and weller 107.
6 | Very Good | A cut above (Bardstown High Wheat, Weller 12, Old Fitz 16 yr)
6 | Very Good | A cut above (Bardstown High Wheat, Weller 12, Old Fitz 16 yr)
6 | Very Good. A cut above (Bardstown High Wheat, Weller 12, Old Fitz 16 yr)
Love my weller 12 but not at secondary prices. In blinded taste, sometimes I even lean toward makers 46.
I love W12 💪🏾
Weller 12 gets a lot of flak from people for being low proof, but this pour is one that definitely showed me that just like with Scotch and Irish Whiskey, proof is not everything. There's a lot more subtlety in this than it seems.
I have some love for the W12 as well. ... it is such a delightful pour.
I do not think it holds up well against higher proof pours, especially if you had the Weller after other higher proof pours. I think it stands up really well against other 90 proof wheaters.
I dutifully did my side-by-side with the regular Weller SR and man, it really shocked me how much better the 12 was. Same flavors and nose for the most part, but everything was just so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Compare
Weller 12 Year Old vs Old Forester 1924Weller 12 Year Old vs Wild Turkey Rare BreedWeller 12 Year Old vs Eagle Rare
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