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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Put Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B next to Uncle Nearest 1856 and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 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- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).