Jason, Consider a blind with Turkey 101, Russell’s 10 year, Eagle Rare, and Buffalo Trace. Would be surprising who come out on top. Great videos! Seth - Naples, FL
I cracked a bottle of Eagle rare and it smells like Grape soda and the cork smells of red wine. Now that I’m further into the bottle I also pick up vanilla. The Russell’s is more complex on flavor and I get a spicy Christmas cookie note towards the finish. Enjoying them both for different reasons. As always excellent video Jason.
If Eagle Rare were available for MSRP where I live, it'd likely be a go-to. But if I do find it, it's anywhere between $45-$100. At that point I'll just get Russell's Single Barrel since it destroys both.
The one good piece of info I have taken away from a Fred Minnick video: A blend of Rare Breed and Russell's 10 year, 2/3 Rare Breed to 1/3 Russell's 10, with a little bit of water. It seriously is the best of both bottles, adds oak and mellow to the Rare Breed and proof and intensity to the Russell's. Highly recommend trying.
Thanks for reminding me I had a bottle of Russell's 10 sort of forgotten on the shelf. As someone who prefers bitter over sweet, the oakiness of the Russell's wins out. My ER is a store pick, so maybe a little off profile -- but it was a very well-received pick that I heard people describe as a "caramel bomb". But for me it almost vanished on the nose coming after the R10. And the lingering sweetness of the ER just makes me want to go back to the R10 for that mildly bitter contrast. Like you were saying, I don't reach for a 90 proof bourbon that often -- but I do need to keep Russell's 10 in mind as an "easy sipper", and maybe a good choice to take to a party, if that's ever a thing again...
Late to the party but the best way to describe it the the eagle is good but more of a beginner or a woman’s taste and the Russell’s is more complex and suitable for a more experienced bourbon drinker , a hidden gem that is plentiful and reasonably priced.
Certainly ER is harder to find. I always buy one when I find it at regular price. When we visited WT Distillery last summer, we tasted the range of their products. Both my wife and I agreed that when we preferred 101 to Russel's. Rare Breed is out of this world and a great special occasion pour. For a daily sipper, I agree with Jason - WT101 any day, every day.
I have the WTRB and ER and I prefer the drinking experience of ER. As you did I also got the grape soda note along with rich caramel and brown sugar when tasting the ER. To me the finish was good with a slight oily sweetness that lingers a bit then the caramel goodness kicks in and just flows for a few seconds. I definitely would recommend both bourbons to anyone. I just feel the ER is more balanced. I’m glad you did this as I was considering the Russell’s and now I won’t pick it up as it is a similar drinking experience as my WTRB just a lower proof.
The Rare Breed is more peppery whereas the Russell's Reserve 10 is sweeter with more vanilla and a little more caramel. I sort of prefer the Russell's except I wish it was a little higher abv. But it does drink above its proof and sometimes I'm in the mood for something a little more tame proof wise.
I love the honesty right after sipping eagle rare “damn that’s good” for some wired reason a lot of reviewers don’t want to like eagle rare maybe because it is Buffalo trace idk but awesome review I can follow your palate it’s helped me pick some gold!
Great content brother....I do have to admit I like the 10y better than rare breed because of the extra oak char. Our palates are all different, thank god we live in the golden ae of bourbon!
Very interesting comparison man! Harshness/oaky/tannic notes you describe aren't a turn off for me, but I can see how it could be. It's got that Turkey "bite" and backbone that I just love. I've done this comparison several times and personally prefer RR10. But I'm a fan of Eagle Rare as well.
I think you hit the nail on the head here. Eagle Rare is a crowd pleaser, while RR 10 year appeals more to oak/spice/rye fans. I lean toward the latter and find low proof Buffalo Trace bourbons kind of bland, so I prefer RR 10 for an easygoing sipper.
Excellent video. I'm sipping both and concur with what you're saying. For me, Russell's is the winner, but I like that spice harshness and makes me think it's a higher proof. I think the oakiness is bang on perfect for mine. I do love the eagle rare too though
I'm a Brit so we don't have much rye over here, but I had Eagle Rare 10 a few years ago in a restaurant and thought it was pretty, especially at the price point. Bought myself a bottle of the ER10 recently during a top-up. I recently also got hold of a Sazerac 18 and that's become one of my favourites of any whisk(e)y (albeit at a higher price point), it's incredibly good. Definitely got me paying attention to what you guys are doing over there. For such a price I'll definitely try the Russell's, if I can find it, the next time I do a whisk(e)y shop.
So happy several folks enjoy Buffalo Trace products. There is a certain something mid palate for me that just misses. Wild Turkey in general hits most of my boxes. Glad there are so many choices for us enthusiasts. Great review and Happy Thanksgiving.
Another great review. I like the Turkey vs the Eagle analogy ;) Side by side I completely agree with your take. Nose wise, Eagle Rare almost comes off as overly sweet. I really like Russell's nose and expect a nice palate to follow. For the palate, Eagle Rare wins hands down and Russell's disappoints...at least when compared to the ER. Props to Russell's for being readily available...unlike ER
I too have seen RR 10 next to the Rare Breed. For $6-8 more I always grab Rare Breed. I may need to try RR 10 to compare. I must say that I still gravitate towards Chattanooga 91 and 111 for the price. Keep producing quality content Jason. Knowledge is important for the Whiskey community.
Great comparison! Yes, Eagle Rare is hard to find here in Central Wisconsin, but is a bit smoother than Russel's BOLD oak flavor. It's turkey and Eagle Rare for me tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving! I really enjoy your videos. You're like Yoda! Very knowledgeable & I look forward to hearing your insight every time you post a video! I wish we could have a sociable someday!
Just picked up this Russell's along with my Rare breed. I took the last two bottles. The higher proof is much deeper but a lite 10 year is nice.$36.99 local
Jason no shit you really do a killer job reviewing bourbon. I feel like a lot of the bourbon you like and the bourbon you don't like, lines up with what I take from some of these. I have a fraction of the backgound you have but as I go through some of these I feel like my tasteing notes line up with what you describe. Kind of gives me new targets to find as I go through your videos and spot stuff I haven't looked for. I have got lucky lately and grabed a bottle of Eagle Rare two weeks in a row at 32 bucks. I'm not a Buffallo Trace fan but at 32 for the Eagle Rare I will get one everytime.
Weirdly enough, I was just thinking about this one yesterday when I saw it on the shelves here. I bought it a long time ago and really liked it. Will have to stock up again soon! Nice video and Happy Thanksgiving, dude.
Wow so many ppl claim they are easy to find in Knoxville TN close to Kentucky it’s still rare to find a Russell’s Reserve or Eagle Rare but both are great
We have more bottles of Eagle Rare than any other whisky (and one bottle of the old single barrel left). For the price we think it is impossible to beat. It is our go to.
great comparison....ive not regretted buying either. Eagle Rare is harder to find these days but not impossible. Always a solid buy...definitely a good one to have friends try if they are interested in getting into bourbon.
Russell's Reserve is more complex, sweet but not sickly sweet like Eagle Rare, and can be found stocked on most shelves at almost any time...so it gets my vote.
Interesting comparison and I have both at home. I like them both but tend to drink the Eagle Rare more simply because in the UK it is cheaper and much easier to get hold of (you can buy it from Amazon and sometimes as cheap as GBP25). Russell's Reserve is much more difficult to find in the UK and if you do find it will probably be at least GBP50 and probably more expensive than Rare Breed (which again is frequently on sale on Amazon).
Interesting, thanks. Although I'm quite a Wild Turkey fanboy, I never had the Russel's 10 Y. And although you made me curious, I just hesitate to spend double the money (min equivalent 60 $ in GER) I pay for Rare Breed (30-35 $). I got a Russel's Single Barrel once for that price, and I just love it ... not so much more than Rare Breed, which ultimately is my personal Bourbon soulmate and daily drinker. I do however like and buy the Eagle 10 maybe once a year, which is priced a few bucks above Rare Breed, cause I adore the nose! It's a bit thin on the palate, but what is there, is wonderful. Love your reviews, all the best! Cheers
Here in Austin, TX, I’ve only ever seen ONE bottle of Eagle Rare, and they wanted $70 for it (that’s a no-go for me). The Russel’s Reserve 10 year is all over the place here, and for about MSRP. I’d like to try Eagle Rare but only if it’s closer to MSRP. I might be trying the Russel’s Reserve some day soon, as the flavor profile you describe is more up my alley, especially for the price.
I have both sitting on my shelf right now. I definitely prefer the eagle rare. I'm not a fan of the russell's reserve for the same reasons you mentioned, just doesn't do it for me. I do like the nose on the russell's reserve better. I like other products from wild turkey though. Especially the 101 rye! It's my go to everyday whiskey.
Perfect candidates for a side by side. Been quite a while since I had either but from memory might give the nod to the Russell's ? Doing it blind could go either way. Both would be perfect to share with non whisky drinkers. Cheers Jason and happy Thanksgiving
Frankly I love both of these bourbons; it just depends on my mood which one I’d prefer. However, I keep Eagle Rare in my cabinet at all times but instead of the Russell’s 10 I keep a Russell’s Single Barrel around since those are always generally easy to find!
Great review Jason !! You are right on. Both RR 10 and ER are listed for $32 in OH.. Rare Breed ($44 in OH) is 28 proof points higher.. I go with ER and Rare Breed..
Nice head to head! You mentioned the "lightness" of ER. The first time I tried it blind I thought it could be a finished Japanese whiskey. Very easy to drink and still only $29.99 in NorCal. The RR 10 is $33 and I enjoy it as well, but for an easy drinker I prefer the mouthfeel of the ER. Cheers!
Waited for the Saxophone to drop in on the Intro? Lol, is Matthew McConaughey still a spokes person for Wild Turkey? Jim Russell really gets along well with him! Great review Jason....Happy Thanksgiving Jason, Cheers!
Drinking some Russell's 10 yr and rewatching the video. Like both ER and Russell's 10yr, but for my profile it comes down to the spice, oak, and leather on the Russell's. ER is a candy shop, but it doesn't keep me sipping.
I like Eagle Rare, agree it's good value in the Buffalo Trace lineup, my only complaint is the 90 proof, just too low. I always buy the Russell's Reserve SiB. NAS but at 110 proof much more in my wheelhouse.
2 years ago these would be called affordable bourbons, but today they are both $40 or higher. (I paid 40 for Russell and 42 for Eagle, and that was the best price for both I have found in 10+ stores). that is the top of my bourbon budget range. But even at $42, that is not super high for 10 years, right? I really wish you hadn't mentioned black licorice, which I hate. I never noticed it until you said it, and now I can't not notice it in the Russell's aftertaste. totally agree about the sweeter, less harsh flavor of the Eagle. While I like the Russell's, I think I like the Eagle more.
Not being in the US many of the ones reviewed are either not here or more expensive. Here though Russell's 10 is a lot easier to find than Eagle Rare. In fact in the government liquor stores there are a grand total of 5 bottles in 2 different stores. I found one locally at $66cdn at a private store after checking a dozen. However I have found that prices here are close and sometimes cheaper than in Washington state.
I’ve never tried RR10 simply because I always pass it up for WT101 or RR SiB, & my “daily” is ER10. From your review it seems like it’s worth buying the RE10 to have at least one on hand. Cheers to you & yours Jason C, & may y’all have a safe & happy Thanksgiving!
I'm torn on this one: ER is good if and also pairs well with cigars. Russell's is more complex. I really like the first drink but ER's sweetness becomes a little much. Near the end of the second glass it gets a little rich (for me) and it's less enjoyable. I enjoy the longer finish of Russell's and how it goes with full flavored cigars. I do believe ER is (or will soon be) allocated. It was one of 3 bottles I grabbed last weekend.
As we all know bourbon has exploded in the last few years, hence we have a lot of new drinkers" male and female" buying up and over hyping the eagle rare because it's double sweet and friendly but not very complex. Russell's reserve has got much more going on because the sweetness is balanced with spicy depth of flavor, I would recommend Eagle rare to the newer bourbon drinkers and Russell's to the more experienced Booze hounds.
It is very good over a small cube of ice. I taste major vanilla more after the cube of ice. The vanilla to me is the prominent flavor and aroma. I enjoy vanilla a lot so it is a winner to me.
I’m going to go with the Russels 10. In Wi eagle rare has become really hard to find and has increased in price a bit. I think eagle gets over hyped over here, but there are so many good bourbons out there. Cheers 🥃
To me RR is a great daily sipper. I don’t always want the higher proof on a daily basis. A guy still has to function. This gives out nice flavor compared to the bland tastes of low proof bourbons. And a great price point for a daily too.
I finished a bottle of Russel's Reserve recently and the taste profile is spot on, definitely less sweet and oakier than the Eagle Rare. ER is allocated and hard to find, but I finally got 3 bottles last week at $25 a pop, I'd say that's a great deal (RR was $24 at my military store in VA). After tasting ER, I can see why people prefer it, it's just sweet and easy sipping goodness without anything harsh, not even a hint! If I had to pick one, it would be ER, but RR is a close second in the group of affordable 10YR bourbons! (Note: RR is available at my store at all times).
Happy Thanksgiving Jason, nice review. The nice part is RR10 is obtainable and hasn't reached tater status. ER is a fantastic price at MSRP but is limited to 1 per person in our state-controlled stores.
My local Target (of all places) has Russel's for $24 all day everyday. I thought it had to be a mistake a few months ago but nope. At that price, an absolute steal if you ask me.
@@nottherealaaron Nice! I've been trying more Turkey stuff and just made my way to this bottle. I like it but he's definitely right - it's a little lost in the shuffle. A shame really and at that price it's really solid to me.
It helps that ER's bottle/label is cool AF butanyways, Eagle Rare used to be well stocked on my stores shelves up until two years ago and now it's actually truly become a Rare Eagle. I remember it fondly despite dwelling in scotchland. I'm greatly saddened it's become popular to the point it's no longer available (over exposure due to UTube reviews I firmly believe). Wanted the Eagle but maybe will pick up the Turkey instead.
