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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between an uncut, spice-driven heavyweight and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 7 years | 12 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) +25 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 ~$473 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
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 7/3 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
- 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 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).