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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 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 | Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$100 – $110 ~$430 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity do not publish an official mash bill.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 Tropics Aged in Humidity
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 6 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 6 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 2 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 Tropics Aged in Humidity: Jefferson's sent barrels to the Singapore jungle for a year and a half, and the humidity shows. It is creamy and fruit-heavy, with tobacco, leather and baking spice running 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.
- Go with Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity if you want an unusual, tropical-aged bourbon with creamy fruit and tobacco at a significantly lower price point and with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat (Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity).