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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Put Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B next to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$55 – $70 ~$473 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/8 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).