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Rowan's Creek vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Rowan's Creek and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$490 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Rowan's Creek and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling 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, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).