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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Old Grand-Dad 114
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Old Grand-Dad 114 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 Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$28 – $35 ~$504 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Old Grand-Dad 114 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/9 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
heat 3/8 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 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 Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).