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Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
On paper Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B are near neighbours — both wheated bourbons — so price (~$49 – $55 vs. ~$170 – $900) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | 12 years +7 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$49 – $55 ~$483 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
- 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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood 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 with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).