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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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 | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$90 – $130 ~$425 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).