Weller 12 Year
Overall Score: 6.75/10
Value: 3.5/5 at MSRP
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Sazerac Company, Inc.
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 90
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Buffalo Trace “Wheated” Mashbill - Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley)
Color: Honey
MSRP: $50 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose is quite delightful, offering a mix of cherries, fruit, and butterscotch with a pleasant hint of oak. Notes of marshmallow, honeycomb, and a touch of nuttiness, perhaps from the oak, are also present. The fruity profile, reminiscent of red Twizzler ropes and grape, makes for a great start to this pour.
The taste reveals typical bourbon flavors, alternating between sweet notes and darker tones with a strong wheated profile. The mouthfeel is juicy and light, featuring main flavors of orange and cherry, almost like an old fashioned. The red Twizzler flavor continues on the palate, but the oak profile is surprisingly subdued for a 12-year whiskey.
The finish is light and easy to drink, with a slight marshmallow sweetness and cherry Twizzlers lingering. However, it feels a bit flat compared to other Buffalo Trace products, lacking a long, drawn-out finish. It’s smooth and pleasant but leaves you wanting more robustness and complexity.
Weller 12 Year provides a smooth, even, and approachable experience. It has great flavor at 90 proof, making it accessible to all, but it doesn’t feel like a 12-year whiskey compared to other options. The wheated profile is not very prominent, and overall, it leaves you wanting more depth.
Given its rarity and secondary price of $250+, you may find it disappointing if you paid that much. For the MSRP, it’s a solid choice, but considering the hype, sticking with E.H. Taylor or Elmer T. Lee might be a better option. For a more robust experience, Weller Full Proof is recommended.
Read the individual reviews by the bourbon bro’s below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: at MSRP - 4/5
at secondary - 2/5
THE NOSE:
I surprisingly got a little bit of nuttiness, but this may have been the oak playing tricks on me.
It moved very quickly to a fruity profile, specifically grape. Very sweet, and reminded me of the red Twizzler ropes.
At the end, I also get a light hint of citrus.
THE TASTE:
Very juicy and light mouthfeel. The main flavors were orange and cherry, and it tasted almost like an old fashioned without all the fuss!
The red Twizzler flavor makes itself known on the palate as well, which I was a fan of.
There actually isnt much oak profile present despite the 12-year age statement.
THE FINISH:
For whiskey drinkers who don’t want or need a long drawn-out finish, this is probably a fantastic pour.
The finish does not stick to the mouth that well, however, it feels light and the flavor is good making it very easy to drink.
Once again… cherry Twizzlers!
BUY OR PASS?
At the risk of sounding cliche, this whiskey provides a very smooth, even, and pleasant experience. However, it doesn’t really feel like a 12-year whiskey compared with other options.
Additionally, for one of Buffalo Trace’s wheated offerings I didn't get much of the wheated flavor, if at all! It does have great flavor at 90 proof that will make it approachable to all.
Overall, it just leaves me wanting more. It’s light and smooth when I want full and robust, especially with the great flavors it’s giving! Given its rarity and price, you’ll likely have to pay to own it, I think the full proof is a much better option.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: at MSRP - 3/5
at secondary - 1.5/5
THE NOSE:
It's quite delightful. You get cherries, fruit, and butterscotch with a pleasant hint of oak.
There are also notes of marshmallow and honeycomb. It’s reminiscent of Elmer T Lee, and honestly, the nose is the best part of this pour.
THE TASTE:
You’ll find typical bourbon flavors.
It switches between sweet notes and general darker tones, but it has a strong wheated profile that I’m not a fan of.
THE FINISH:
It’s harsh and falls flat compared to other Buffalo Trace products.
There is a slight marshmallow sweetness, which is nice, but overall, it’s a bit disappointing.
BUY OR PASS?
If you like wheated bourbons, this might be your thing, but it’s not for me. It has some sweetness, but with a secondary price of $250+, you’re likely to be disappointed if you paid that much.
It’s definitely a weaker offering compared to other Buffalo Trace products. If you have the chance, stick with E.H. Taylor or Elmer T Lee.
