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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Jack Daniel’s Bonded 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 | Jack Daniel’s Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$30 – $38 ~$501 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.
Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Jack Daniel’s Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 5 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 6 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.
- Jack Daniel’s Bonded: Bonded Jack at 100 proof, and far more serious than the black label most people picture. The charcoal mellowing still rounds everything off, but there is real bourbon structure underneath.
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 Jack Daniel’s Bonded if you want the Tennessee charcoal-mellowed character with bonded proof and genuine structure at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Jack Daniel’s Bonded).