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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series do not publish an official mash bill.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 Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
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.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series).