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Ancient Age vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Ancient Age and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$519 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Ancient Age and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat without hunting for it.
- Go with Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).