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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs W.L. Weller Full Proof
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and W.L. Weller Full Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | W.L. Weller Full Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$50 – $120 ~$450 less |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and W.L. Weller Full Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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.
W.L. Weller Full Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B W.L. Weller Full Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 8 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Full Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- W.L. Weller Full Proof: Weller's wheated bourbon bottled at its barrel-entry proof of 114, without chill filtering. Coffee cake, caramel and cinnamon with a bold, warming body.
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 W.L. Weller Full Proof if you want a bold, sweet wheater bottled at barrel-entry proof at a significantly lower price point and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (W.L. Weller Full Proof).