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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Blanton’s Single Barrel next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +3 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 ~$420 less | ~$170 – $900 |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 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.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal 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 (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).