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Four Roses Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Four Roses Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$510 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).