Van Winkle 12 vs Weller 12: Bourbon Comparison

Last Updated on: 10th April 2024, 09:34 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Discover the differences between Old Rip Van Winkle 12 vs Weller 12 in this in-depth head-to-head comparison and decide which Bourbon is better for You!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

Van Winkle 12 vs Weller 12: Comparison

Van Winkle 12: This bourbon features aromas of oak, caramel, and cinnamon, with flavors of cherry, cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate on the palate, concluding with a finish of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel. It is 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) and aged for 12 years, distinguished by its smooth character attributed to the wheated mash bill.

Weller 12: Presents with a nose of caramel, cinnamon, and oak, with a palate that includes cherry, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak, and a finish characterized by cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla. This bourbon is 90 proof (45% ABV) and also aged for 12 years, offering a profile that is smooth and sweet, with a notable wheated mash bill.

Key Difference: Both Van Winkle 12 and Weller 12 are aged 12 years, produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, and share a wheated mash bill, contributing to their smooth profiles. The proof is slightly higher in Van Winkle 12 at 90.4 proof compared to Weller 12’s 90 proof. Each bourbon undergoes aging in new, charred oak barrels, with specific warehouse locations contributing to their distinct flavor profiles, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Verdict: Van Winkle 12 and Weller 12 both offer unique experiences. Van Winkle excels with its smooth, cinnamon-spiced profile, while Weller impresses with its sweet, creamy flavors. Each stands out for its smoothness and quality.

Related: Brands like Pappy Van Winkle

Van Winkle 12: Where Cinnamon Meets Smoothness

Nose: Oak, caramel, cinnamon
Palate: Cherry, cinnamon. vanilla, chocolate
Finish: Vanilla, cinnamon, caramel
Alcohol content: 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV)
How to drink: Neat

This 12-year-old wheated bourbon starts with a warm aroma of oak and caramel, laced with a distinct cinnamon spice. Take a sip, and you’re met with a velvety smooth mouthfeel that carries the cinnamon throughout.

Compared to its younger sibling, the oak is more present, but it doesn’t overpower the delightful cherry notes that peek through. The finish is long and satisfying, with vanilla and toffee adding a touch of sweetness to the lingering warmth.

What makes it special:

Smoothness: Renowned for its lack of harshness, making it a pleasure to sip.
Cinnamon: The dominant spice adds a unique and enjoyable twist to the flavor profile.
Wheated Bourbon: Crafted with wheat instead of rye, contributing to its smooth character.

Is it worth it?

This bourbon delivers a delightful sipping experience, but the price tag can be hefty. If you appreciate smooth, unique flavors and don’t mind the premium, it’s worth a try.

Van Winkle 12 facts:

Aged 12 years in new, charred oak barrels.
Made with a wheated bourbon mash bill.

Weller 12: Smooth & Sweet, But Is It Worth the Hype?

Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
Palate: Cherry, cinnamon, vanilla, oak
Finish: Cinnamon, caramel, vanilla
Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks

Weller 12 opens with a gentle sweetness, hinting at brown sugar, vanilla, and warm baking spices kissed by oak. Take a sip, and creamy notes wash over your palate, carrying flavors of vanilla, caramel, and juicy cherries alongside a whisper of oak.

The finish? Smooth and short, leaving behind lingering vanilla, caramel, and oak. It’s pleasant, but some might wish it lasted longer.

Here’s the deal:

Smoothness: Easy-drinking with a buttery texture.
Flavor: Sweet vanilla, caramel, and cherry with a touch of oak.
Finish: Short and smooth, but not mind-blowing.

Worth the hype? It’s a tasty bourbon, but the high price tag and short finish might leave you wanting more. Some might find it doesn’t quite live up to its reputation.

Bonus: Adding a few drops of water can bring out a hint of spice, but don’t expect it to magically extend the finish.

Weller 12 facts:

Aged 12 years in new, charred oak barrels.
Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a smooth and sweet bourbon, Weller 12 is a solid choice. But if you crave a complex and lingering finish, you might want to explore other options.

Similarities between Van Winkle and Weller

Made from the same mash at the same distillery

Both Weller 12 and Van Winkle 12 are classified as wheated bourbons, as they are made from a mash bill that includes approximately 15% wheat.

These bourbons are crafted at the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery and aged for the same duration, resulting in a consistent aging process for both expressions.

Are Van Winkle 12 and Weller 12 the same bourbon?

The primary discernible difference between Van Winkle 12 and Weller 12 is their proof.

Van Winkle 12 is bottled at 90.4 proof, while Weller 12 is bottled at 90 proof.

Although this variation in proof is relatively small, it contributes to a subtle distinction in the overall drinking experience.

Furthermore, there is an undisclosed non-visible difference between these bourbons in terms of aging location within the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Each bourbon is aged in different warehouses, which may introduce subtle variations in the maturation process and influence the final flavor profile, adding an element of uniqueness to each expression.