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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Buffalo Trace
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Buffalo Trace sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$28 – $35 ~$504 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).