Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B Review

The Van Winkle line, specifically the Pappy line, and the BTAC line are some of the most coveted yearly releases in modern whiskey. While some of them, like the William Larue Weller and George T Stagg releases, are delicious year-over-year, many of them are just… ok. The crazy demand and hype over things like the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B, and really any of the Pappy releases, I don’t get. But as an independent reviewer, it’s my duty to taste them all and dammit, that’s what we’re doing today.

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B

Well, not all of them. Just this one. I already did the Old Rip Van Winkle review and the entire BTAC line, but am still working my way through the Pappy line up. I’ve had them all multiple times, but never in a review environment. I’m sure I’ll get there one day, but with all the hysteria around them, I’m in no rush. I refuse to pay those silly secondary and price gouged store prices on any of it. They’re good… but not that good.

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Produced by Buffalo Trace and put out every year. The Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B is a whiskey that is good, but not worth anything more than MSRP.

In Buffalo Trace’s Words: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B

Van Winkle Special Reserve is the perfect combination of age and proof. This sweet, full-bodied whiskey has been described by some as “nectar.” The 12 years of aging and medium proof seem to be just right in creating a very pleasant drink of whiskey. This fine bourbon can compete with any excellent cognac as an after-dinner drink. The overall impression is rich and deep.

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Mash Bill: At least 51% corn + Wheat + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 45.2%

Batch: B16 (2016)

Price: $70 (MSRP, not secondary or gouged)

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy caramel

NOSE
Caramel syrup, cherry heavy dark fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, oak and a bit of citrus and candy sweetness.

PALATE
Caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, nuts, oak and some citrus candy notes.

FINISH
Medium-Short -> Vanilla, dark fruit, caramel and citrus candy.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft feel.

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B Review: OVERALL

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Lot B Review

I’ve drunk a LOT of bourbon in my life, well over 1,000 different brands, bottles and barrels at this point and it’s with this experience I can safely say Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12 Years is no big deal. It’s good in a “non-descript good” kind of way with the aroma being the best part of the whiskey. The palate is the weakest part with the oak being subtle, making the sweetness really stand out and lose some of its depth.

We’ve put this in blind tastings and it’s always scored mid-bottom of what’s in the lineup. We even did one of these blind tastings fairly recently with the SCWC using only off-the-shelf whiskeys and it hit around the middle of the pack. Take that info for what its worth, but I’d never pay anything over MSRP for it… it’s just not worth it.

SCORE: 86/100 (B)