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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$45 – $90 ~$468 less |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).