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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | 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 | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$503 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity 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 slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).