Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year (Lot B) Review (2025): Worth the Hype?
Is Van Winkle Lot B 12 Year really worth chasing in 2025? We explore its specs, tasting notes, secondary pricing, and collector appeal. 21+ | Drink Responsibly
Table of Contents
Quick Specs
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Wheated)
ABV / Proof: 45.2% ABV / 90.4 proof
Average Price: ~$90 MSRP (secondary $800–$1,200)
Availability: Extremely limited, allocated
Best For: Collectors, special occasions
Tasting Notes
Nose: Vanilla cream, caramel, oak, dried fruit
Palate: Honey, toffee, baking spice, soft wheat, subtle cherry
Finish: Long, velvety oak, lingering sweetness
How To Drink It
Lot B is best enjoyed neat or with a single cube of ice. At 90.4 proof, it is smooth, balanced, and elegant. Most collectors reserve it for special occasions, and it’s rarely mixed in cocktails.
Value & Who Will Like It
At MSRP, Lot B is a phenomenal bourbon and an accessible introduction to the Van Winkle line. On secondary, prices are steep and push it into collector territory. It’s best for:
Collectors and enthusiasts who chase Van Winkle releases
Bourbon lovers who prefer smooth, wheated profiles
Special celebrations where rarity matters as much as flavor
Alternatives
W.L. Weller Special Reserve — softer wheated profile from the same mashbill family; far more accessible.
Michter’s US*1 Bourbon — refined, balanced premium pick we feature in the pillar.
Blanton’s Single Barrel — premium, sweet-leaning profile; a collector-friendly alternative mentioned in our pillar tiers.
Verdict
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year (Lot B) remains a bucket-list bourbon in 2025. Smooth, sweet, and refined, it shines at retail MSRP but loses value when marked up on secondary. Still, for collectors and fans of wheated bourbons, it’s a worthy prize.
Score: 9.0 / 10
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