Compare
Jack Daniel’s Bonded vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s Bonded | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | 12 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $38 ~$501 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
Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Jack Daniel’s Bonded 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Jack Daniel’s Bonded: Bonded Jack at 100 proof, and far more serious than the black label most people picture. The charcoal mellowing still rounds everything off, but there is real bourbon structure underneath.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s Bonded if you want the Tennessee charcoal-mellowed character with bonded proof and genuine structure 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, old-fashioned (Jack Daniel’s Bonded); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).