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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel 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 Single Barrel | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$485 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range 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 neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).