Compare
David Nicholson Reserve vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing David Nicholson Reserve and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$500 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- David Nicholson Reserve and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
- 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 David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails 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.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).