Compare
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on wheated bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$170 – $900 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| 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.
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 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.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body 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 (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon).