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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$170 – $900 | ~$35 – $42 ~$497 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).