Van Winkle 12 Year Lot B 2021

Review by: Raygun

Was saving some big wheaters to mark hitting a century of American whiskey reviews, and here’s the last of them. The Van Winkle line needs no introduction. I thought prices were crazy a few years ago, and they’ve only gone up since. First time I’ve had any. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes. 

Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Brand: Van Winkle 12 Lot B

Region/style: Kentucky straight bourbon

ABV: 45.2% 

Age: 12 years. Distilled in 2009, released in fall 2021.   

Cask type: New charred oak  

Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural color.

Price: Far too much. $900 was the best I found.

Nose: Cherries, raspberries, and peanuts. Almost a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. On toast. With some vanilla and charred oak.  

Palate: Berries, vanilla cream, and some sawdust. Slightly burnt brioche with peanut butter. Maybe almond butter. Caramel corn. Nice orange brightness helps cut through the richness. Pretty dense considering the proof. 

Finish: Oak is more noticeable. Cherries, vanilla, bread pudding. Honey-roasted peanuts and pecans. Touch of orange.    

Conclusion: Unfortunately for me, I continue to like wheaters. Even then I’d put this behind the Old Fitz and WLW I tried. The slight burnt taste holds it back. Not huge, but a small flaw. The lower proof probably doesn’t help either. Not to say it’s not good, because it is. Not considering price, I’d be happy to drink this. Factoring in price, I would leave it on the shelf (if I ever saw it there).    

Buy a bottle? At MSRP, sure. Not that I will have the chance. 

Score: 83

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Stagg Jr batch 12)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (new))
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Pikesville Rye)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Wild Turkey 101)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Maker’s Mark)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Grandad 114)
  • 0-49: Blech. (High West Yippee-ki-yay)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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