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Old Forester Statesman vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Old Forester Statesman 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 | Old Forester Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$483 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 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).