Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old vs Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Which Bourbon Should You Buy? arrives with the quiet confidence of a spirit that knows its own worth.
Choosing between Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old and Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... can be tough, especially when they compete in the same space. In this head-to-head comparison, we taste them side by side and score every dimension so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're stocking your home bar or picking a gift, this breakdown will point you to the right bottle.
Specifications at a Glance
| Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old | Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 90.4 proof | 98.1 proof |
| Price | N/A | $60.00 |
| Rating | 10/10 | 3.5/10 |
Nose
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old: Rather lean and oaky, like the inside of a sauna. There are notes of incense, clove, wood, and mint underlaid by a kind of steely minerality. With water, things get a little more floral: notes of pear cider, honey, beeswax, and red currant.
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Pretty mild, with hints of corn. Not very complex. A delicate nose with a hint of earthiness, oak, and nuttiness.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old: After nosing this whiskey, I worried the palate would be too astringent, but fortunately my worries were unfounded. While quite oak-inflected in the entry, the finish takes a surprising turn.
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Nice mild oak, tannin and a lovely spice that doesnt overpower the subtle vanilla, honey and stone fruit notes. I also get a hint of mint at the very tail end. It has a nice, decently long finish, with oak and mild vanilla lingering on while the spice fades. At the very end, you are left with hints of that oak lingering on your tongue. Final Thoughts: This is a lovely crafted blend from five different whiskies, and a pleasure to drink. Its finish is similar to ones I am used to from higher proof bourbons. This is a good sipper, at any occasion. Not overly complex, which is not surprising for a mostly three-year-old blend, but still well executed, with the older bourbons rounding up the youngness of more youthful components. Given that there are some older higher proof bourbons priced arou
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old: After the swallow, there’s a brief, shallow burst of ethereal lemon followed by a clean and slightly tart finish with notes of cola, coffee, and bitter herbs that reminds me of a modern light-roast coffee.
Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...: Comments: 54% BBC 3-year bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley), 10% BBC 3-year bourbon (60% corn, 40% rye), 6% BBC 3-year bourbon (60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, 4% malted barley), 20% undisclosed 12-year bourbon from Kentucky (78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley) , 10% undisclosed 12-year bourbon from Kentucky (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley). 98
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old takes the crown with a rating of 10/10 compared to Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ...'s 3.5/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Bourbon Reviews: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series ... appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
