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Wild Turkey Rare Breed vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey Rare Breed | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 116 proof (58% ABV) +26 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$485 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B does 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
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 8/3 heat: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).