These videos are soooo much better than straight reviews! For future duels - you should keep it blind all the way through. Don't reveal after each set. And for single barrels, choose only shelfer bottles, not special picks.
@@brandon_sprague Gotcha. Just saying that *if* the distillery has a shelf SiB product, like the McKenna, then the shelf SiB product on the other side should be the comparison.
@@netnothing yeah it will depend on what they have on hand at the castle, I think honestly all the Russel’s sib at the castle are picks, so I just grabbed one at random. Same thing happens with batch’s like the BP round, I just grabbed a random ECBP batch could have been a good or bad one it doesn’t matter.
yup, don't let them know anything....they don't know if they are drinking the flagship or the LE and then don't even let them know what distillery the 2 options even are....keep all of it until after you are done.
Should reveal the bottles to the guys at the end. A true distillery blind. Knowing 101 vs EC from the start you a) know the distilleries and b) can prob figure out the remaining bottles fairly easily.
When I tried my bottle of RR15 I realized I no longer needed to chase any other bottles of whiskey because the 15 Year is the best bottle I've ever tasted.
The problem becomes they already know the distillery for the most part off the initial pour being the distillery’s most popular. So it would all be for the theatrics lol
@@brandon_sprague Fair point. Could save that one for last then. There's always options! I just think if it's going to be a 'blind' head to head, then make it truly blind
Great breakdown, guys! 🥃 It’s like choosing between a party and a chill night-both Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill have their own unique vibes! If Shrinktender were mixing it up, he’d probably throw a splash of sass into whichever one wins. Cheers to great bourbon and even better debates!
There's something oddly satisfying in watching the first comparison as a person who, despite earnestly trying many times, would literally rather drink nothing than WT101.
It devastates me to hear that Pikesville fell off in quality. I remember drinking that during the pandemic and thought it was excellent. Probably a recipe change ruined it for good. Definitely would like to try the Russell’s rye at some point though
I love both. Buffalo Trace gets all the hype, and it is an excellent distillery. But these two are also excellent across the board, and I love how certain releases are special but still accessible with a little hunting (eg Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, etc.).
Damn, I almost thought you guys were gonna have to shut down the channel😂😂😂. I’d say it be OK to change the bottles up in the next distillery battle. Great video as always.
Brandon, I'm piling on... Don't reveal the bottles till the end, and mix them up a little. They also shouldn't know which distilleries they're comparing!
Its funny the bottles that come out duds in blinds. Iirc WT 101, Rare Breed and PH heavy char all performed poorly in the distillery blinds. But I would never scoff at any of them if someone offered me a pour.
It’s interesting to know the notes and tastes you get from different bottles, but it would be more unique if you never know if left is HH or WT. It should always be flipping, so you really don’t know what it is. Anyway, how would you compare a Five Brothers or a Heaven Hill Select Stock with Russels?
I find Wild Turkey products to be a little more consistently good, but damn when Heaven Hill has a hitter, it's a hitter. I think you all know what I am talking about. I will just take them both.
I felt completely validated watching your reactions to Wild Turkey 101. Whiskeytuber’s all love it and I gave my bottle away. I thought I was the messed up one.
@@BourbonJunkiesappreciate the response, If you do another comparison and you need either of those bottles just let me know and I’ll loan you one! Keep up the great work
"...a donut came inside my mouth." "If Jesus was around to drink that...he would've never made water into wine. Ever." --Dan, 2024 😂🤣 Unfortunately, I'm never gonna see Russell's Reserve 15 unless Jesus comes back and follows Dan's suggestion.
I started my Bourbon journey with Wild Turkey 101, I will NEVER buy it again. Truly horrible for me!!! Old Forester 100 is soooo much better to me for about the same price!
"Wow your on f%$&ing drugz" Sean dog. Drinking some knob creek "mob deep" 9 year 120 proof sing barrel pick cuz im too much of a b$@^ to open a bookers right now. I have a few and love em unlike these fine fellas. Ive been watching ya for a few years now and congratulations on the weight loss dan! Lookin good bud
