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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$26 – $32 ~$506 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).