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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Four Roses Single Barrel
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Four Roses Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% 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 – $55 ~$485 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/8 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).