Compare
Old Grand-Dad 114 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Old Grand-Dad 114 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 Grand-Dad 114 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) +24 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$504 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad 114 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/3 spice: Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 8/3 heat: Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
- 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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars 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 neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).