Compare
Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Uncle Nearest 1856 next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- 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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).