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Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- 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 Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does 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 (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).