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Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 8 years | 12 years +4 yr |
| Proof | 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV) +20 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$130 – $150 ~$395 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13: Bardstown's annual blend of older sourced bourbons. Rich and dessert-like, with creme brulee, toffee and dark fruit over peppery oak.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 if you want a rich, dessert-like annual blend of older Kentucky bourbons at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind 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 an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat (Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).