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W.L. Weller 12 Year vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
W.L. Weller 12 Year and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B are cut from similar cloth: two takes on wheated bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$70 – $180 vs. ~$170 – $900).
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller 12 Year | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | 12 years | 12 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $180 ~$410 less | ~$170 – $900 |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller 12 Year Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/3 spice: W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
- 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 W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line.
Best enjoyed neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).