Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot B Bourbon Whiskey

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot B is one of Kentucky’s most coveted bourbons, an extraordinary expression of American whiskey heritage where rarity, patience and craftsmanship meet. Matured for twelve years and crafted using the Van Winkle family’s distinctive wheated bourbon tradition, it offers a beautifully composed interplay of honeyed sweetness, mature oak, delicate fruit and warming spice. Bottled at an elegant 45.2% ABV, this remarkable bourbon is an invitation to experience one of the most celebrated names in American whiskey.

Tasting Notes & Experience

Radiant amber-copper in the glass, Van Winkle Special Reserve opens with an alluring bouquet of rich toffee, vanilla and dried orchard fruit, complemented by delicate cocoa, spiced peach and polished oak. The palate is beautifully rounded and supple, revealing honey, caramel and toasted nuts alongside soft baking spices and a gentle tobacco richness. Its distinctive wheated character lends an elegant softness, while twelve years of oak maturation provide depth and structure. The finish is long, balanced and pleasantly dry, with lingering notes of seasoned oak, warm spice and mellow sweetness.

Key Details

• Producer: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
• Production Partner: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Expression: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old – Lot B
• Region: Kentucky, USA
• Age: 12 Years
• ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
• Volume: 750ml
• Mash Bill: Wheated Bourbon – Wheat Used Instead of Rye as the Secondary Grain
• Maturation: 12 Years in New Charred American Oak Barrels
• Signature Serve: Enjoy neat in a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whiskey glass, allowing time for the aromas to develop

Craftsmanship & Story

The Van Winkle story is inseparable from the history of great Kentucky bourbon. It began with Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., who entered the whiskey business in 1893 and later helped establish the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery. His unwavering commitment to quality became the guiding philosophy of a family whose name would eventually achieve almost mythical status among bourbon enthusiasts. Following the sale of Stitzel-Weller in 1972, Julian Van Winkle Jr. continued the family tradition through the Old Rip Van Winkle label, preserving a legacy built on patience, craftsmanship and exceptional whiskey. In 2002, Julian Van Winkle III established a production partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, bringing together generations of family expertise and one of America’s most respected bourbon producers. Today, the Van Winkle family remains closely involved in selecting and maintaining the character of its celebrated whiskeys. Special Reserve 12 Year Old embodies this enduring philosophy: a carefully matured wheated bourbon whose elegance, depth and remarkable reputation have made it one of the most sought-after expressions in the Van Winkle collection.

Special Features

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old stands apart through its rare combination of family provenance, distinctive wheated character and exceptional desirability. Unlike conventional rye-recipe bourbons, its mash bill uses wheat as the secondary grain, creating a softer, more rounded foundation that allows honey, caramel, delicate fruit and mature oak to unfold with remarkable harmony. Bottled at 90.4 proof, it occupies a beautifully balanced position between richness and refinement, offering an expressive yet wonderfully approachable drinking experience. Its presentation is deliberately traditional, with the iconic Van Winkle label, understated bottle design and cork closure reflecting a heritage that needs little embellishment. Known affectionately as “Lot B”, the twelve-year-old expression has become a prized discovery among collectors and serious bourbon enthusiasts, with limited allocations contributing to its enduring reputation as one of Kentucky’s most desirable whiskeys.

Ageing & Maturation

Twelve years of patient maturation lie at the heart of Van Winkle Special Reserve. Resting in new, charred American oak barrels, the wheated bourbon develops its distinctive balance of sweetness, complexity and mature oak character through Kentucky’s changing seasons. The extended interaction between spirit and wood builds layers of caramel, vanilla, toasted nuts and warm baking spice, while the softer wheated recipe helps preserve an elegant, rounded texture. At twelve years old, the whiskey achieves a particularly compelling harmony between maturity and vitality, delivering the rich depth of well-aged bourbon without sacrificing the delicate fruit and honeyed qualities that make this expression so distinctive.

Recognition & Critical Acclaim

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old occupies a distinguished position among America's most sought-after bourbons. Its reputation has been shaped by generations of family craftsmanship, critical appreciation and exceptional demand from collectors and whiskey enthusiasts. While the wider Van Winkle collection has received numerous international honours, Lot B has established its own following for the remarkable balance between twelve years of maturity and the elegance of its wheated character.

• 5 Stars – Highest Recommendation – F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal
• Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2004)
• Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019)
• Highly Recommended – Ultimate Spirits Challenge (2018)
• Silver – International Wine & Spirit Competition (2019)

Beyond formal recognition, the enduring appeal of Van Winkle Special Reserve lies in its exceptional provenance and carefully cultivated reputation. Limited allocations, longstanding family stewardship and the distinctive character of its wheated bourbon recipe have made Lot B a highly desirable expression among discerning collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.

Food Pairings

The refined richness of Van Winkle Special Reserve calls for equally considered pairings. Slow-roasted pork belly or dry-aged ribeye complements its mature oak, caramel and gentle baking spice, while crystalline aged Gouda draws out toasted nuts and honeyed sweetness. For an indulgent finale, dark chocolate truffles or a delicate pecan tart echo its cocoa, vanilla and warm oak character, creating a beautifully composed after-dinner experience.

Perfect for Gifting or Collecting

Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot B is an extraordinary gift for the serious bourbon enthusiast, discerning collector or someone celebrating a truly significant occasion. Few American whiskeys carry the same combination of family heritage, international desirability and instantly recognisable prestige. Its association with the legendary Van Winkle name, twelve years of patient maturation and distinctive wheated character make it a particularly meaningful expression to give, receive or acquire.

For collectors, Lot B represents an opportunity to own one of the most sought-after expressions in the Van Winkle family. Its limited availability and enduring reputation give the bottle a special place in a carefully curated American whiskey collection, while its understated presentation reflects the confidence of a bourbon whose heritage speaks for itself.

For those who choose to open and enjoy it, the experience deserves an unhurried moment. Pour a modest measure into a Glencairn or tulip-shaped whiskey glass and allow the aromas to develop naturally. Enjoy it neat to appreciate the interplay of mature oak, honey, caramel and delicate fruit, adding only a few drops of water if desired. Beautifully balanced at 45.2% ABV, this is a bourbon to savour slowly, perhaps as the centrepiece of a memorable evening or an exceptional after-dinner dram.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

Order Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot B online for fast, secure NZ-wide delivery following supplier confirmation and dispatch preparation. Every bottle is carefully packed, with premium gift packaging and a personalised message available from COVE 27.

Rare Bourbon – Availability & Dispatch

Due to the exceptional rarity and limited availability of Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old Lot B, this bourbon is specially ordered from our supplier rather than held in our regular stock. Please allow an additional 2–3 business days before dispatch, subject to supplier availability. Purchases are limited to one bottle per customer.

Should this expression become unavailable after your order is placed, we will contact you promptly and arrange a full refund to your original payment method.