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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Knob Creek 12 Year
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Knob Creek 12 Year 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 | Knob Creek 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | 12 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Knob Creek 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Knob Creek 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 7 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 3 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 12 Year: Three more years in the barrel than the standard Knob Creek, and the wood does all the talking. Deep oak and leather over the familiar Beam peanut note, drying toward genuinely tannic on the finish.
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 Knob Creek 12 Year if you want the Beam house profile pushed as far into oak as it goes while staying balanced at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks (Knob Creek 12 Year).