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Knob Creek 9 Year vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Knob Creek 9 Year and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek 9 Year | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 9 years | 12 years +3 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $40 ~$498 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Knob Creek 9 Year and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek 9 Year Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek 9 Year 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Knob Creek 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint on the finish.
- 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 Knob Creek 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement 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 (Knob Creek 9 Year); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).