Compare
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 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 | Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 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 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 1920 Prohibition Style
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 8 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 1920 Prohibition Style: Dense and syrupy for its age, with molasses and dark chocolate carrying a serious 115-proof punch. The high rye reads as baking spice rather than sharpness, and the body is unusually thick.
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 1920 Prohibition Style if you want a rich, high-proof, dessert-leaning bourbon with real weight in the glass at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style).