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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$110 – $180 vs. ~$170 – $900).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 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 | ~$110 – $180 ~$390 less | ~$170 – $900 |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B does 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
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/3 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
- 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly 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 with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).