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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Four Roses Small Batch Select next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | 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 | 6 years | 12 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$475 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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 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 Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle 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 with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).