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Wild Turkey Longbranch vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Wild Turkey Longbranch and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey Longbranch | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 8 years | 12 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 ~$495 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Wild Turkey Longbranch and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Wild Turkey Longbranch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey Longbranch Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey Longbranch 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Wild Turkey Longbranch 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Wild Turkey Longbranch 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey Longbranch 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Wild Turkey Longbranch 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Wild Turkey Longbranch 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Wild Turkey Longbranch: Eight-year Wild Turkey filtered through American oak charcoal and then Texas mesquite charcoal. It is softer and sweeter than the usual Turkey, with honey and orange and a faint smoke.
- 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 Wild Turkey Longbranch if you want a softer, sweeter Wild Turkey with a light mesquite smoke 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, highball, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Longbranch); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).