Weller 12 Year Bourbon 1.75L

Weller 12 Year Bourbon 1.75L is a 12-year-aged wheated Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 1.75-liter format. Scored 96 points by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2015 with an "Extraordinary/Ultimate Recommendation" designation, this expression has earned a devoted following among bourbon collectors for its depth, balance, and remarkable provenance at Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 12 Years  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in America — produces Weller 12 using a wheated mashbill, meaning wheat replaces rye as the secondary grain alongside corn and malted barley. This same wheated recipe is shared with the legendary Pappy Van Winkle line, making Weller 12 a sibling expression selected from barrels aged a full dozen years in charred American oak. The result of that extended maturation is a bourbon with far more oak integration and complexity than younger wheated expressions in the Weller range, such as the Special Reserve or Antique 107.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with creamy vanilla and toasty caramel, then unfolds into deeper layers of lanolin, almond, and creamed corn. Subtle cocoa powder and dried fruit emerge as the bourbon breathes.

Taste: The entry is soft and sweet, typical of a wheated mashbill, with candied corn and ripe stone fruit across the front palate. At mid-palate, baking spices and chocolate-covered caramel build complexity, while molasses and dark fruit add weight. The mouthfeel is rich and layered without ever turning heavy.

Finish: Long, oaky, and intensely smooth, with lingering vanilla and dried fruit that slowly recede into warm baking spice. The 12 years of barrel time show clearly here — the oak is present but never astringent, leaving a polished, satisfying close.

How to Drink Weller 12

Weller 12 is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to coax out its more delicate fruit and almond notes; the 90-proof strength holds up well without dilution but doesn't demand it. For cocktails, it brings exceptional warmth to an Old Fashioned, where its caramel and vanilla backbone harmonize beautifully with bitters and citrus. A Boulevardier benefits from the wheated sweetness cutting through the bitter Campari. It also shines in a Whiskey Sour, where the dark fruit and cocoa notes add dimension that rye-heavy bourbons cannot replicate.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who appreciates allocated bottles
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus high-rye mashbill bourbons
• Hosting a special-occasion dinner where a generous 1.75L format serves a crowd
• Building a personal bourbon library with a critically acclaimed age-stated expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Weller 12 taste like? Weller 12 delivers rich caramel, creamy vanilla, dark fruit, and cocoa powder with a soft, wheated sweetness and a long, oaky finish. The 12 years of aging give it a layered complexity that balances sweetness with baking spice and toasted almond.

How does Weller 12 compare to Old Rip Van Winkle Lot B? Both are 12-year-old wheated bourbons produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery using the same mashbill, making them true siblings — Lot B is bottled at the same 90 proof. The key difference lies in barrel selection: Van Winkle barrels are chosen for a specific flavor profile, while Weller 12 barrels are selected separately, resulting in subtle flavor variations despite nearly identical DNA.

Is Weller 12 good for sipping neat? Weller 12 is widely regarded as one of the best neat-sipping wheated bourbons available, with its 90-proof strength delivering full flavor without excessive heat and its 12-year age statement providing the kind of oak-driven depth that rewards slow, contemplative drinking.

Where is Weller 12 made? Weller 12 is distilled, aged, and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Buffalo Trace is a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Weller 12? Slow-smoked brisket complements the bourbon's oak and caramel depth. Dark chocolate truffles mirror its cocoa and dried fruit notes. Pecan pie amplifies the toasted nut and vanilla character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère balances the sweetness with savory richness. Crème brûlée echoes the creamy vanilla and caramelized sugar on the palate.

What sizes does Weller 12 come in? Weller 12 is available in standard 750ml and the larger 1.75L format, though both sizes are allocated and availability varies significantly by market.

Is Weller 12 worth the price? At its suggested retail price, Weller 12 positions as a mid-premium bourbon that dramatically over-delivers for a 12-year age-stated, 96-point whiskey — though secondary market prices often climb well above retail due to limited allocation and high demand.

Why Weller 12?

Few bourbons at any price point carry a 12-year age statement, a 96-point critical score, and a Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Weller 12 shares its exact wheated mashbill and distillery with the Pappy Van Winkle family, placing it in rarefied company among American whiskeys. The 1.75-liter format is particularly scarce, making it a significant find for collectors and hosts alike. For drinkers seeking proof that exceptional bourbon does not require triple-digit proof or a four-figure price tag, Weller 12 remains one of the most compelling arguments in Kentucky whiskey.