There are unicorn bourbons, and then there is Pappy Van Winkle. Few names in American whiskey carry the weight, the mystique, or the near-impossible-to-find reputation of the Van Winkle family lineup. Released once a year in extremely limited quantities through a lottery allocation system — with demand that overwhelms supply by a staggering margin — a bottle of Pappy reaching a retail shelf at anywhere near MSRP is genuinely rare. The Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old, affectionately known among collectors as "Lot B," is widely considered the most balanced and approachable expression in the entire family portfolio, sitting between the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the legendary older Pappy releases at 15, 20, and 23 years.
What makes the Van Winkle lineup so distinct — and so revered — is its wheated bourbon mash bill. Where most Kentucky bourbons use rye as the secondary grain, Van Winkle uses soft red winter wheat in its place. The result is a notably softer, rounder, and sweeter bourbon that allows vanilla, caramel, and fruit to come forward rather than being cut by rye spice. This is the same foundational mash bill that makes Weller and W.L. Weller so beloved — but distilled, aged, and selected to the exacting standards that the Van Winkle name demands. Lot B is aged a full 12 years in new charred American white oak barrels in the Kentucky climate and bottled at a restrained 90.4 proof — a deliberate choice that keeps the spirit approachable while preserving its layers of complexity. Often described by connoisseurs as "nectar," Lot B is one of those rare bourbons that is as celebrated for its elegance and drinkability as it is for its trophy-cabinet status.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery | Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky (bottled by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery) |
| Bottler | Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Type | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Series | Van Winkle Special Reserve — Lot "B" |
| Mash Bill | Wheated bourbon — corn, soft red winter wheat, malted barley (no rye) |
| Age | 12 Years |
| Availability | Extremely limited — annual lottery allocation release, one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world |
| Proof | 90.4 Proof |
| ABV | 45.2% |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Country | United States, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with warm golden highlights — rich and inviting in the glass
Nose: Elegant and layered — caramel cream, butterscotch, and vanilla bean open first, giving way to dark fruit notes of cherry and dried plum. Subtle hints of toasted oak, cinnamon, baking spice, and a whisper of pipe tobacco round out a nose that invites you to linger.
Palate: Exceptionally smooth and rounded with a satisfying weight. The wheated mash bill delivers soft wheat sweetness up front — honeyed caramel, maple syrup, and vanilla cream — followed by cherries, red fruit, and baking spices. Notes of brown sugar, honeyed nuts, and gentle oak integrate seamlessly. Full-bodied without any harshness, exactly as a well-aged wheated bourbon should be.
Finish: Long, smooth, and deeply satisfying — lingering berry jam, caramel, a gentle oak wash, and a soft warmth of cinnamon and spice. The kind of finish that earns this bourbon its reputation as one of the finest sipping whiskeys in Kentucky.
FAQ
Why is Pappy Van Winkle so hard to find?
The entire Van Winkle family is produced in very small quantities and released once a year through a state lottery allocation system. Demand vastly exceeds supply — most retailers receive only a handful of bottles, and even those are distributed by lottery. The result is that finding a Van Winkle expression at or near retail price is genuinely exceptional. Secondary market prices for Lot B regularly reach many times the MSRP.
What is a wheated bourbon and how does it affect the flavor?
A wheated bourbon replaces rye — the spice grain — with soft red winter wheat as the secondary ingredient after corn. This produces a notably softer, rounder, and sweeter spirit. Rather than the peppery spice notes typical of rye-based bourbons, wheated bourbons lead with vanilla, caramel, fruit, and a gentle sweetness that builds over years of aging. The Van Winkle wheated mash bill is the same foundation behind the celebrated Weller range at Buffalo Trace.
How does Lot B compare to the older Pappy expressions?
Lot B is widely regarded as the most approachable and drinkable expression in the Van Winkle lineup. At 12 years and 90.4 proof, it strikes the balance between complexity and smoothness better than any other entry in the family — complex enough for serious connoisseurs, accessible enough for those newer to aged wheated bourbon. While Pappy 15, 20, and 23 develop deeper oakiness and more layered complexity, Lot B's elegance and balance earn it devoted admirers who prefer it over older, heavier expressions.
Where can I buy Pappy Van Winkle Lot B 12 Year online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.
100% Secure payments
Your details are protected and safe with us.
There are unicorn bourbons, and then there is Pappy Van Winkle. Few names in American whiskey carry the weight, the mystique, or the near-impossible-to-find reputation of the Van Winkle family lineup. Released once a year in extremely limited quantities through a lottery allocation system — with demand that overwhelms supply by a staggering margin — a bottle of Pappy reaching a retail shelf at anywhere near MSRP is genuinely rare. The Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old, affectionately known among collectors as "Lot B," is widely considered the most balanced and approachable expression in the entire family portfolio, sitting between the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and the legendary older Pappy releases at 15, 20, and 23 years.
What makes the Van Winkle lineup so distinct — and so revered — is its wheated bourbon mash bill. Where most Kentucky bourbons use rye as the secondary grain, Van Winkle uses soft red winter wheat in its place. The result is a notably softer, rounder, and sweeter bourbon that allows vanilla, caramel, and fruit to come forward rather than being cut by rye spice. This is the same foundational mash bill that makes Weller and W.L. Weller so beloved — but distilled, aged, and selected to the exacting standards that the Van Winkle name demands. Lot B is aged a full 12 years in new charred American white oak barrels in the Kentucky climate and bottled at a restrained 90.4 proof — a deliberate choice that keeps the spirit approachable while preserving its layers of complexity. Often described by connoisseurs as "nectar," Lot B is one of those rare bourbons that is as celebrated for its elegance and drinkability as it is for its trophy-cabinet status.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery | Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky (bottled by Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery) |
| Bottler | Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Type | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Series | Van Winkle Special Reserve — Lot "B" |
| Mash Bill | Wheated bourbon — corn, soft red winter wheat, malted barley (no rye) |
| Age | 12 Years |
| Availability | Extremely limited — annual lottery allocation release, one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world |
| Proof | 90.4 Proof |
| ABV | 45.2% |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Country | United States, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with warm golden highlights — rich and inviting in the glass
Nose: Elegant and layered — caramel cream, butterscotch, and vanilla bean open first, giving way to dark fruit notes of cherry and dried plum. Subtle hints of toasted oak, cinnamon, baking spice, and a whisper of pipe tobacco round out a nose that invites you to linger.
Palate: Exceptionally smooth and rounded with a satisfying weight. The wheated mash bill delivers soft wheat sweetness up front — honeyed caramel, maple syrup, and vanilla cream — followed by cherries, red fruit, and baking spices. Notes of brown sugar, honeyed nuts, and gentle oak integrate seamlessly. Full-bodied without any harshness, exactly as a well-aged wheated bourbon should be.
Finish: Long, smooth, and deeply satisfying — lingering berry jam, caramel, a gentle oak wash, and a soft warmth of cinnamon and spice. The kind of finish that earns this bourbon its reputation as one of the finest sipping whiskeys in Kentucky.
FAQ
Why is Pappy Van Winkle so hard to find?
The entire Van Winkle family is produced in very small quantities and released once a year through a state lottery allocation system. Demand vastly exceeds supply — most retailers receive only a handful of bottles, and even those are distributed by lottery. The result is that finding a Van Winkle expression at or near retail price is genuinely exceptional. Secondary market prices for Lot B regularly reach many times the MSRP.
What is a wheated bourbon and how does it affect the flavor?
A wheated bourbon replaces rye — the spice grain — with soft red winter wheat as the secondary ingredient after corn. This produces a notably softer, rounder, and sweeter spirit. Rather than the peppery spice notes typical of rye-based bourbons, wheated bourbons lead with vanilla, caramel, fruit, and a gentle sweetness that builds over years of aging. The Van Winkle wheated mash bill is the same foundation behind the celebrated Weller range at Buffalo Trace.
How does Lot B compare to the older Pappy expressions?
Lot B is widely regarded as the most approachable and drinkable expression in the Van Winkle lineup. At 12 years and 90.4 proof, it strikes the balance between complexity and smoothness better than any other entry in the family — complex enough for serious connoisseurs, accessible enough for those newer to aged wheated bourbon. While Pappy 15, 20, and 23 develop deeper oakiness and more layered complexity, Lot B's elegance and balance earn it devoted admirers who prefer it over older, heavier expressions.
Where can I buy Pappy Van Winkle Lot B 12 Year online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast, insured shipping nationwide.
100% Secure payments
Your details are protected and safe with us.