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Bulleit Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$507 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere 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 old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).