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Angel’s Envy vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Angel’s Envy and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a new-wave, classically built craft style versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Angel’s Envy | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 86.6 proof (43.3% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$485 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Angel’s Envy and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Angel’s Envy
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Angel’s Envy Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/5 fruit: Angel’s Envy 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Angel’s Envy 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Angel’s Envy 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Angel’s Envy 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Angel’s Envy 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Angel’s Envy 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Angel’s Envy: Finished in port barrels, which pushes it well away from the traditional bourbon template toward berry and raisin sweetness. Divisive among purists and extremely popular with everyone else.
- 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 Angel’s Envy if you want an overtly fruity, port-finished bourbon that breaks from the traditional profile on purpose at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Angel’s Envy); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).