W.L. Weller Bourbon 12 Year 1.75L

12+ years. 90 proof. 1.75L. Double Gold at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The wheated bourbon recipe that traces directly to William Larue Weller's 1849 innovation — in the large-format bottle.

William Larue Weller returned from the Mexican-American War in the 1840s and joined his family's distilling business. In 1849, he introduced what would become one of bourbon's most significant innovations: a bourbon using wheat as its secondary grain rather than rye. Wheated bourbons — softer, sweeter, and more caramel-forward than rye-recipe bourbons — would go on to define the most sought-after premium bourbon expressions in American history. W.L. Weller, Pappy Van Winkle, and the William Larue Weller BTAC release all use this same foundational recipe.

W.L. Weller 12 Year is the most age-forward expression in the standard Weller lineup, aged a minimum of 12 years and bottled at 90 proof. The 1.75L format delivers the same award-winning bourbon — Double Gold at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best of Show and Best of Division at the 2018 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition — in a large-format bottle suitable for home bar use, gifting, or collecting.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Warm amber with golden highlights.
• Nose: Lanolin, almond, creamed corn, and toasty vanilla — the wheat grain's soft, sweet character leading.
• Palate: Heavily wheated, layered, and moderately sweet — caramel, molasses, candied corn, ripe fruits, and cocoa powder.
• Finish: Long, oaky, and intensely smooth — a wheated bourbon finish with hints of mint, fruit, and vanilla.

Awards

• Double Gold — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019
• Best in Show, Best of Division, Best of Category, Gold Medal — Los Angeles International Spirits Competition 2018
• Double Gold — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018
• Double Gold — New York International Spirits Competition 2018

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: Minimum 12 years
• Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
• Size: 1.75L (half gallon)

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the connection between W.L. Weller, Pappy Van Winkle, and the BTAC William Larue Weller? All three use the same wheated bourbon mashbill that William Larue Weller introduced in 1849. Pappy Van Winkle used this recipe at Stitzel-Weller; Buffalo Trace acquired the W.L. Weller label in 1999 and has produced the Van Winkle bourbons since 2002. The William Larue Weller BTAC is the cask-strength, unfiltered annual flagship of this same recipe family.
• Why is W.L. Weller 12 Year so difficult to find at retail? The Weller lineup — Special Reserve, Antique 107, 12 Year, and Full Proof — uses the same wheated mashbill as Pappy Van Winkle. As Pappy's profile rose, demand for all Weller expressions surged. The 12 Year is allocated by Buffalo Trace and sells out immediately wherever it reaches retail.
• Does the 1.75L format contain the same bourbon as the 750ml? Yes — identical bourbon, different bottle size. The 1.75L is simply a larger format of the same 12 Year expression, suitable for high-volume use or as a statement display piece.
• Is wheated bourbon easier to drink than rye-recipe bourbon? Generally yes. Wheat produces fewer harsh congeners than rye, resulting in a softer, sweeter, and more caramel-forward character. W.L. Weller 12 Year at 90 proof is often cited as one of the most approachable aged bourbons in the category.