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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Ezra Brooks 99
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Ezra Brooks 99 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 | Ezra Brooks 99 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$22 – $28 ~$510 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Ezra Brooks 99 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Ezra Brooks 99
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Ezra Brooks 99
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/2 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Ezra Brooks 99 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Ezra Brooks 99: A high-proof value bottle from Lux Row. The nose is quiet, but the palate is bolder, with creamy caramel, brown sugar and a nutty, peanut-like edge.
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 Ezra Brooks 99 if you want a high-proof, nutty, caramel-forward everyday bourbon at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Ezra Brooks 99).