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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and W.L. Weller Special Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are wheated bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$170 – $900 vs. ~$30 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$30 – $60 ~$490 less |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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 Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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 Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
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 Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).