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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Wild Turkey Rare Breed sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$45 – $55 ~$485 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/8 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
heat 3/8 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).