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Penelope Rio vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Penelope Rio and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Rio | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) +8 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 ~$445 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited 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 Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Rio Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Penelope Rio 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Penelope Rio 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 9/8 sweetness: Penelope Rio 9 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Rio 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Rio 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Penelope Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
- 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 Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a significantly lower price point and 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).