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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | 12 years +7 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 ~$480 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 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.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending 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, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).