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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | 12 years +8 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$516 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).