Compare
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 ~$480 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Copper & Kings Butchertown 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.
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon finished in the Louisville brandy maker's apple brandy barrels. The finish reads like caramel apple pie: baked apple and cinnamon over a sturdy oak base.
- 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 Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon if you want an apple-brandy-finished bourbon that tastes like caramel apple pie at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).