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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Old Forester 86 Proof and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$512 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).