Compare
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +8 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$28 – $36 ~$503 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).