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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$170 – $900 vs. ~$110 – $180).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +3 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$110 – $180 ~$390 less |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/2 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 an older age statement.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).