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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$50 – $55 vs. ~$170 – $900).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +16 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$483 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B does 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 Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak 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 with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).