Description

Purchasing Weller 12 year Bourbon Whiskey Online in Los Angeles California

Weller 12 Year Bourbon Whiskey, produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, is one of the most sought-after wheated bourbons in the world. Renowned for its smooth, mellow flavor profile and rich complexity, this 12-year-aged expression has become a staple for bourbon enthusiasts and collectors alike. With a growing global demand, as evidenced by its recent introduction to markets like India, Weller 12 Year has cemented its status as a premium spirit that balances accessibility with exclusivity. In this SEO-optimized article, we’ll explore the history, production, flavor profile, market trends, and tips for finding this iconic bourbon, drawing from the most recent and credible information available online.

Why Weller 12 Year Stands Out

Weller 12 Year is a wheated bourbon, meaning it uses wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain in its mash bill, resulting in a softer, sweeter, and smoother taste compared to traditional rye-based bourbons. Its 12-year aging process enhances its depth, delivering a mature yet vibrant flavor profile that appeals to both novice and seasoned whiskey drinkers. The bourbon’s scarcity, driven by high demand and limited production, has also fueled its reputation as a “unicorn” bottle in the whiskey world, making it a prime target for collectors and a subject of fascination in online forums and reviews.

The History of Weller 12 Year Bourbon Whiskey

Origins of the Weller Brand

The W.L. Weller brand traces its roots back to the 19th century, when William Larue Weller began crafting whiskey in Kentucky. Known for pioneering the use of wheat in bourbon mash bills, Weller’s legacy continues through Buffalo Trace Distillery, which now produces the Weller line. The Weller 12 Year expression, introduced as a premium offering, builds on this heritage, offering a refined take on the wheated bourbon style that has become synonymous with smoothness and elegance.

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Role

Buffalo Trace, one of America’s oldest continuously operating distilleries, is the home of Weller 12 Year. The distillery’s commitment to quality and tradition has made it a leader in the bourbon industry, producing other iconic brands like Pappy Van Winkle, Blanton’s, and Eagle Rare. Weller 12 Year benefits from Buffalo Trace’s expertise in aging and blending, with each batch carefully crafted to maintain consistency and character. However, the distillery’s limited production capacity contributes to the bourbon’s scarcity, driving its value on the secondary market.

Evolution of Weller 12 Year’s Popularity

Over the past decade, Weller 12 Year has transitioned from a relatively affordable bourbon to a highly coveted bottle. In 2016, a bottle retailed for around $40, but today, secondary market prices can soar to $300 or more due to the bourbon boom and increased demand for premium American whiskeys. This surge in popularity has also attracted counterfeiters, with fake bottles becoming a growing concern in the industry.

Production Process of Weller 12 Year

The Wheated Mash Bill

Weller 12 Year’s mash bill is not publicly disclosed, but it is widely believed to consist of approximately 70% corn, 16-20% wheat, and 10-14% malted barley. The use of wheat instead of rye gives Weller 12 its signature smoothness, with flavors that lean toward honey, caramel, and vanilla rather than the spicy, peppery notes of rye-based bourbons. This mash bill is similar to that of Pappy Van Winkle, which has fueled speculation about their shared lineage.

Aging and Barrels

Aged for a minimum of 12 years in new, charred American oak barrels, Weller 12 Year develops its complex flavor profile through extended oak interaction. The barrels are stored in Buffalo Trace’s rickhouses, where Kentucky’s climate—hot summers and cold winters—facilitates the whiskey’s maturation. The result is a bourbon with a balanced interplay of sweet, spicy, and oaky notes, with a viscosity that enhances its mouthfeel.

Bottling and Proof

Weller 12 Year is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), which some reviewers note could benefit from a higher proof to amplify its flavors. Despite this, the bourbon’s moderate alcohol content makes it approachable for a wide audience, offering a smooth sipping experience without overwhelming heat. Each batch is carefully selected to ensure consistency, though slight variations may occur due to the small-batch nature of the production.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Nose

Weller 12 Year’s aroma is a hallmark of its wheated bourbon style, featuring a rich bouquet of darker honey, orange, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, cherry, toasted oak, dark chocolate, tobacco, and a subtle floral note. The dark chocolate and tobacco provide a mature backbone, distinguishing it from younger wheated bourbons, while the orange and oak spice add brightness. Reviewers often praise its inviting and complex nose, which sets the stage for the tasting experience.

Palate

On the palate, Weller 12 Year delivers a smooth and well-balanced profile. Expect flavors of honey, vanilla, orange, cinnamon, clove, caramel nougat, roasted oak, dark chocolate, and tobacco. The bourbon’s clove-heavy character is typical of wheated bourbons, while the dark chocolate and tobacco add depth and sophistication. Its medium viscosity provides a satisfying mouthfeel, though some reviewers wish for a slightly higher proof to enhance its intensity.

Finish

The finish is described as bright, tingly, and relatively short, with notes of torched sugar, chocolate mint, marmalade, and chai tea. While not overly long or warm, the finish is clean and well-integrated, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that invites another sip. Some reviewers note that it lacks the lingering tannic or drying qualities found in heavily oaked bourbons, which adds to its approachability.

Comparison to Other Wheated Bourbons

Weller 12 Year is often compared to Bernheim Wheat Whiskey and other wheated bourbons like Maker’s Mark or Pappy Van Winkle. Its flavor profile shares similarities with Bernheim, particularly in its clove and oak notes, but Weller 12’s extended aging gives it a more mature and refined character. Compared to Pappy Van Winkle, Weller 12 is less intense but more accessible in both price and availability.

Market Trends and Availability

The Bourbon Boom and Scarcity

The bourbon industry has experienced a significant boom over the past decade, with domestic sales of super-premium American whiskey nearly doubling from 2016 to 2020. Weller 12 Year, once an affordable option, has become a victim of its own success, with demand far outstripping supply. This scarcity has led to long lines at liquor stores, lottery systems for allocated bottles, and a thriving secondary market where bottles can fetch prices significantly above retail.

Counterfeiting Concerns

The high demand for Weller 12 Year has made it a prime target for counterfeiters, who refill luxury bottles with cheaper whiskey and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Reports of fake bottles have surfaced in states like Kentucky and Indiana, with scammers using social media platforms like Instagram to promote fraudulent sales. To avoid scams, consumers are advised to purchase only from licensed retailers and to verify bottle authenticity through serial numbers and packaging details.

Global Expansion

In June 2025, posts on X announced the arrival of Weller 12 Year in India, marking a significant expansion of the brand’s global reach. Described as one of the world’s most acclaimed wheated bourbons, its introduction to new markets reflects Buffalo Trace’s efforts to capitalize on the growing international demand for premium bourbon. This move may increase availability in some regions but could further strain supply in traditional markets like the United States.

Where to Buy Weller 12 Year Bourbon Whiskey

Purchasing Weller 12 year Bourbon Whiskey Online in Los Angeles California. Finding Weller 12 Year at its suggested retail price (around $40-$50) is challenging due to its allocated status. Online retailers like Caskers, ReserveBar, and Total Wine occasionally stock it, but availability is limited, and bottles sell out quickly. Local liquor stores may receive allocations through lotteries or special releases, so building relationships with retailers can improve your chances.