Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Years Old - Lot B

Producer: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Age: 12 years

Bottled: 2021

Proof: 90.4

Finish: None

This is the 12 year version of Van Winkle bourbon. It was originally released before there was anything called "Pappy". Julian set aside some 12 year bourbons as "Lot A" and "Lot B". The first lot was smaller and sold out faster. The second lot was larger and took longer to sell. However, the name stuck, and Julian continued to produce "Lot B". The two extra years of aging and the lower proof was designed to reach a different customer than the higher proofed 10 year version. It's the same proof as Pappy 20. Today, the 12 year serves to showcase the variation in the Van Winkle line of wheated bourbons. This bottle was distilled, aged and bottled at Buffalo Trace, which took over Van Winkle production in 2002. The two younger versions of this venerable bourbon brand are less expensive and more readily available, but Van Winkle 12 will still cost you over $1,000 on the secondary market.

Color: Golden orange

Body: Medium to full, nice cling

Nose: Brown sugar, butter cookie, spice cake, caramel candies with white sugar centers

Palate: Honey, malty but sweet, cherry, vanilla, orange zest, candied fruit, not much oak, water brings more caramel and fruit with powdered sugar

Finish: Medium, thinner than older Pappy's, lingers with brown sugar and spice

Score: Ace

Song: Air Attack - Malice

Every awesome series has to have the weakest entry. However, even that weakest entry is better than most everything else. Attack Of The Clones comes to mind. It was the worst of the Star Wars movies, until Disney ruined the franchise with the final trilogy. Still, Attack Of The Clones is better than nearly every other Hollywood movie. Likewise, Van Winkle 12 is better than nearly every other bourbon. The nose is sweet with brown sugar, butter cookie, spice cake and caramel candies. The palate stays sweet with honey, cherry, vanilla, orange zest and candied fruit. The finish fades with brown sugar and spice. There is none of the oaky power found in the higher aged Pappy's, but for that reason, Van Winkle 12 lacks the incredible depth and complexity of the higher aged Pappy's. It could also use a little more proof to provide some deeper barrel notes. It's the Attack Of The Clones of the Van Winkle line. For that reason, I recommend pairing it with Air Attack by Malice. It's the weakest link in the family, but it's still better than nearly every bourbon on the market. Van Winkle 12 is allocated, so sign up for the lottery.