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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 7/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).