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Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B are cut from similar cloth: two takes on wheated bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$170 – $900).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 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 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 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.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body 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 rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).