Compare
Basil Hayden’s vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Basil Hayden’s and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$494 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Basil Hayden’s and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- 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 Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).