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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years +4 yr | 8 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$130 – $150 ~$395 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
fruit 5/8 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13: Bardstown's annual blend of older sourced bourbons. Rich and dessert-like, with creme brulee, toffee and dark fruit over peppery oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 if you want a rich, dessert-like annual blend of older Kentucky bourbons at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat (Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13).