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Charles Goodnight Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Charles Goodnight Bourbon next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Charles Goodnight Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $80 ~$458 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 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Charles Goodnight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Charles Goodnight Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 7/3 spice: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Charles Goodnight Bourbon 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Charles Goodnight Bourbon: A barrel-strength Texas bourbon. The hot Texas climate pulls a lot of oak in six years, giving deep wood, brown sugar and dark fruit with plenty of rye spice.
- 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 Charles Goodnight Bourbon if you want a bold, oak-heavy Texas bourbon at barrel strength at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- 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 (Charles Goodnight Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).