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Kentucky Owl Batch 12 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +25 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$300 – $400 ~$185 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 7/3 heat: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
- 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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon at a significantly lower price point and with significantly more proof behind 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 (Kentucky Owl Batch 12); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).