Compare
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +11 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $180 ~$370 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 9/5 fruit: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 9 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend: Older sourced bourbon finished in sherry, Cognac and then Armagnac casks. Dense dried fruit, fig and orange over cigar leaf and charred oak.
- 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 Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend if you want a fruit-packed, multi-cask-finished bourbon built to go with a cigar at a significantly lower price point and 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).