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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +6 yr | 6 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$45 – $50 ~$488 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B does 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 Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/8 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 2 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 Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond: Bardstown's own high-rye recipe, distilled on site rather than sourced. More than a third rye gives it a bright, minty, fruit-and-pepper profile over caramel and light 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 Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond if you want a spicy, fruit-forward high-rye bourbon with the guarantees of a bonded label at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond).