Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot "B" Bourbon

The Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot "B" is arguably the most coveted mid-aged wheated bourbon in the world, serving as the sophisticated bridge between the younger Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the ultra-aged Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve line. Distilled at Buffalo Trace using the legendary Van Winkle wheated mash bill, this expression replaces the traditional rye grain with wheat to create a softer, sweeter, and more approachable profile. The "Lot B" designation refers to specific barrels selected for their balanced maturation, ensuring that the influence of the charred oak complements rather than overpowers the delicate grain.

On the nose, this 90-proof bourbon is remarkably fragrant and inviting, opening with a rich bouquet of dried fruits, heavy vanilla, and local honey. Because it has rested for twelve years in the middle-to-lower floors of the rickhouse, it avoids the aggressive wood tannins of older expressions, focusing instead on elegant layers of spiced peaches, cocoa, and light floral notes. The aroma is exceptionally smooth, lacking the sharp ethanol bite often found in higher-proof bourbons and offering a refined sweetness that has become the hallmark of the Van Winkle name.

The palate is silky and medium-to-full bodied, delivering a harmonious symphony of butterscotch, toasted nuts, and creamy caramel. The wheat provides a gentle, "bread-like" sweetness that acts as a canvas for the wood’s contribution of cinnamon, nutmeg, and aged leather. Despite its relatively modest proof, the flavor density is significant, transitioning from a honeyed entry to a spicy, well-rounded mid-palate. The finish is clean, moderate in length, and exceptionally balanced, trailing off with lingering notes of citrus zest, sweet oak, and a touch of pipe tobacco.

For the collector, Lot "B" represents the "sweet spot" of the lineup—offering enough age to provide complexity while maintaining the vibrant, fruit-forward character of the wheated spirit. It is best enjoyed neat in a tulip-shaped glass to allow the subtle floral and spice notes to fully develop. Because of its legendary status and extreme scarcity, it remains a cornerstone of any serious whiskey library and a benchmark for the excellence of Kentucky wheated bourbon.