I prefer RR10 over ER but it’s probably because my expectations for ER when I finally found a bottle were too high and I was underwhelmed. So that plus being able to find RR10 on the shelf anywhere at MSRP, it’s a no brainer for me.
I was in Dallas 2 weeks ago and called around to a few liquor stores. One had Eagle Rare, they wouldn't tell me the price over the phone. I stopped in on my way back to Oklahoma. I picked up a few other bottles that I was wanting. When I got to the checkout, they brought out the Eagle Rare...$99...🚫👎 Not paying that to them😡
Hello, I am a new subscriber and I love your content. I am running out soon to pick up a bottle of Russell's Reserve (39.99) so I can conduct my own blind comparison; you inspired me! I love your watches too.
Josh, also enjoying you build your watch collection😉 You both have some of the best spirits videos on RU-vid! Always anticipating new content from both of you!
I think your comments are right on, Josh! Specifically, about taste profiles during blind tastings, and secondly related to Buffalo Trace. I can't EVER find Eagle Rare and have determined that I will STOP trying. If that is their "hype" business plan - well, for me I will continue buying the other brands and products. Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey and Wild Turkey's Russell Reserve (+others). So, a plan to make people stop looking for your product does not seem like a good plan.
I thought we've seen this matchup before! This is a great head to head. I actually really like the "old" scoring system :) While I really do enjoy ER as a balanced easy sipper, I do think that RR10 has a bit more depth of flavor.
The Russell’s wins this for me also in a head to head. Both get smoked though in an all out 10 year battle - M10 and JD10 are several levels better 10 year products, but you definitely pay a premium. Keep up the great work - you guys are awesome!
Both great pours, Eagle Rare is my favorite right now, but we did a blind recently and mine was Russell's 10 and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was maybe ER, but I called it right in the blind.
Thanks so much for watching. The blinds strip away any possibility of bs which we really appreciate. Always happy when that resonates with others. Cheers!
It would be fun to see a BT vs WT lineup. Like EHT vs 101, Blanton's vs Kentucky Spirit, Stagg vs RB. I feel like there is a Wild Turkey for any BT product but are much easier to find and cheaper.
That would be interesting. Most interesting would probably be EHT small batch vs WT101, because of the similar proof point. I'm about positive that Blanton's would crush WT KY Spirit (as it's the least favorite of WT that I've had). Stagg (Jr) vs Rare Breed seems to depend upon if you like to get mugged with proof & flavor or just slapped around pretty good 😅
Both are great pours. What I’ve found with ER is that the profile changes for the better as you get into the bottle…I keep bottles of both on the shelf.
I'm sipping the first pour of a new bottle of Russell's 10 year now and it is good but doesn't come close to JD 10 year. But for half the price it's way better than half as good. Pretty sure this bottle will get better as it sits.
I am on Eagle Rare now for this week's daily sipper. I get less cherry than say, Buffalo Trace. I do get a ton of sweat oak and a finish of baking spice. Russell's 10 is very thin on my palate. Which is strange because I generally love Wild Turkey products.
Been drinking Eagle Rare for years and I finally got around to trying Russell’s about 3 minutes ago lol. It’s good. Really good. But I’ll take my ER10🔥🔥
Both of these are on my "to buy list". I just found 2 bottles of Buffalo Trace this Tuesday. I try to buy 1-2 bottles a month. Russell's 10 and a Benchmark Full Proof is on my next list. I've gotten in the graces of 3 local liquor stores who have said they'll put two Eagle Rare bottles back for me when they get some. Keep putting out the stuff y'all are doing❤️👍👍🥃
I bought 2 bottles of Benchmark Full Proof it tastes just like a higher proof Jack Daniel's old No.7 sour mash whiskey, I don't care too much for sour mash flavor, but it's great over ice with a diet Pepsi 😋 🥴
I've tried this comparison on a few occasions, and I could go either way at any point in time. Needless to say, I do enjoy each of them very much. Particularly when I'm not looking to enjoy a higher proof pour! Great show as always! Cheers!
I'm ok with both of these. Not a big fan of either. There isn't a lot in this price range. I prefer Wild Turkey flavor profile over Russels. I prefer bourbon's on the sweeter side. I'm probably going to go up in price and go for E.H. Taylor small batch, or even New Riff small batch. Or I'm going down in price and going for a wheater like Makers Mark, or Green River. I have been leaning towards lighter Bourbon's this summer. I tend to lean closer to the 100 proof point.
I have not done a blind of these but currently have both open and going so maybe I might. I think I would lean towards ER as slightly better but it is weird in that I usually only have 1 glass because I think because of the sweetness it doesn't taste as good towards the end of a 2nd glass where I can have multiple glasses of RR10. I agree with Erin in that RR10 does hold up to ice better because I prefer ER neat and RR10 on ice. RR10 is easier to find for me but not easy to find. These are both great pours and are very close in quality even though they have different flavor profiles.
I knew I could trust a man wearing a Turtle! I do agree with your thoughts on the two pours. Good, but not the best from each distillery. Great review!
I bought a bottle of ER10 once for $30. While it's "worth" that price, I don't actually like it. So even though I've had opps to buy it again, I haven't.
Knickers in a twist for Eagle Rare. More like knuckling up and throwing down. In a Costco in my area around the time of the pandemic that store got regular ER in. The store didn’t label it one per customer per day so a dude tries to buy the case. Other people on line complain saying they want one too and that guy isn’t going to drink all of them. Store clerks let him know it’s 1 per and try to take away the case but leave him 1. Shoving match ensues and buyer is about throw hands. Then gets escorted out by bigger clerks and security.
Anyone know if Russell’s 10 has changed over the last few years? I have a bottle at home probably about 2-3 years old. Have had very little of it but remember really liking it. Recently was out of town for a week+ so went shopping. Passed on an Eagle Rare for $70 (agree it’s good at $40 and under but not paying more than that) and left the store with a RR10. This bottle of Russell’s was good but didn’t knock my socks off. Much more muted and lighter, definitely not what I remembered. Came home and placed this new bottle next to my old one. Wish I could post a pic. The old bottle is definitely visibly darker and more robust flavor. Significantly better than the new bottle. Did they change or maybe the new bottle was exposed to something (heat/light) in shipping or display?
Bardstown Origins just came out, got mine for 43. I cannot believe how good it is. The white label. Holy crap, I'm about to go buy another bottle right this minute
My first ER was a total wine store pick and I wasn’t all that impressed. Just picked up a regular bottle tonight and am enjoying it. Paid $54 in north GA but it wasn’t on shelf, store owner/mgr brought one out from the back 🎉. I’d say it’s probably a $40-45 bottle but $54 wasn’t outrageous. Been a long time since trying RR 10 so may need to try that next
I am a new viewer and I live in Japan, I keep hearing that it is hard to find Eagle Rare 10 year and 17 year in the US. There is a couple stores here that have a crap ton of Allocated Bourbons
We've heard that about Japan as well. They supported the bourbon market when it was really down in the US so there are a lot of allocations that get sent that way. Congrats on the great selection and thank you so much for tuning in!
It is crazy how different parts of the country get different bottles. I can find Eagle Rare going to 3 stores at most. But for me to find other bottles people talk about or review I have never seen them. Even living less than 30 miles to the state next to me. Like you said if the distillers would just put out more of what they make instead of expanding their lines. Best comment! - Russell's 10 Erin's summer whisky 2023!
Great description of Russel's Reserve Erin, love both those. I tasted cherry in Russel's but not banana. Eagle Rare tasted better the second time I tried it. A little burnt finish. Eagle Rare is prevalent down here in San Diego. Sounds like your changing your mind Josh😂😂. You can't add more flavor notes after the blind, rule 1071 of whiskey guild haha
I am in southern California, but Eagle Rare is actually rare in my area. I thought this might be true in general for California until I heard from someone in northern California who said it was everywhere. It is funny how messed up the distribution of some of these whiskies is. Where I live, the best option for Eagle Rare is a local bar that has a single barrel pick and sells bottles to go. It costs more than standard retail, of course, but it is worth it for a good barrel pick, and I got to try it first. I've never had standard issue Eagle Rare, but it would be interesting to try it against this barrel pick. However, I'm not going to hunt or overpay for it. I might buy it if I stumble onto it and it is around $40 or less, and if I have room for it. The lowest I've seen the standard version in a store here is $90 (the barrel pick at the bar was significantly less, but I don't remember the exact price), and I've seen it as high as $200 in a particularly absurd museum in a beach town. If distribution of Eagle Rare eventually improves here, these museums will have to drop their prices, or else those bottles will get very dusty. I don't understand why people get worked up over Eagle Rare. Judging from the barrel pick, it is very good, but it isn't the sort of thing that should drive people nuts. These easy-drinking lower strength bourbons aren't my usual preference, but I like to have two or three around. Sometimes, I'm in the mood for something that doesn't burn, or one of these is a good warm-up when I'm planning on getting into the firewater. Eagle Rare serves this purpose, as does Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select, which is also in my collection (I got it on sale - it is normally overpriced for what it is). I haven't gotten around to Russell's Reserve yet, but it seems like it would serve this purpose too, and I like the Wild Turkey flavor profile. Maybe when one of the others runs down, I'll grab a bottle.
I've been looking for a decently priced Eagle Rare here in SoCal too. Best I've seen is $80 which was still a skip for me, I'd probably pay up to $50. I'll let the craze die down while I enjoy other non-inflated bourbon haha.
Thanks for tuning in! We're always refining things. Look forward to the same ethos behind the content we make but an even more relaxed approach to things in 2024. Cheers!
Fact BT have some serious marketing people working for them. The hype is crazy and I believe they hold back on releasing to keep their profits up. However are they worth the secondary market prices they are getting absolutely not yes it’s good but it’s not to the level that makes them superior to other brands out there. Now the BTAC is different but again 99.999% of the people on the planet will never see a bottle let alone taste one. I like eagle rare in fact it’s my favorite out of the line up but WT is something I can get and I always have several bottles on my shelf. Currently I have a Russell’s 10 a rare breed and three bottles of 101 one is the rye. I have one BT cause it’s so hard to find. Enjoy!!
+1 for putting more of the product they make on the shelves. Specifically, Stagg (jr). Batch 22a is one of the best things I have ever tasted and both mine and my wife's #1 pour. I would get a case of it if I could.
If only Eagle Rare was easier to find at MSRP... Still, RR10 is a great product at a fantastic price for the age statement and proof point and you can find it EVERYWHERE.
I wish they didn’t hike up the prices of rr10. It’s now 45 dollars where I’m at, and I’ve gotten eagle rare (when available) anywhere from 29-40 bucks. I have and love both bottles, but I’ve always leaned more towards eagle rare. Great review!! And spot on with notes/analysis.
@@nschlueter13 dang that’s a bummer but I’m not surprised. Here in Oregon, Oregon sets the prices of liquor and there’s no sales tax. IF you can find stagg it’s 60 bucks I believe. Which most other places is like 250
I remember the previous video! Loved both videos. Love the comparison. Haven’t had Eagle Rare recently because I haven’t seen it for a decent price in a while (I’m in SoCal), but I also haven’t specifically been searching either because it’s not my favorite. Definitely prefer the Russel’s.
As Erin said, I can get ER for about £31-35 at a local grocery store and have to order RR for about £70+ if it's available at all. So, I've never actually tried RR and always have ER. My current bottle was a store pick so it was closer to £65 and it was worth the cost.
I love eagle rare store picks, i got a few but i wish they were more available. For Russell's I usually stick to the single barrel and store picks. Im not sure if ive had just the basic 10 but its 30 bucks here in Tampa, so next time i go hunting ill grab a bottle. Awesome review
I've not (yet) had Russel's. It's easily available here, and isn't prohibitively expensive, but it is higher than I'm usually ready to pay. One of these days I will try it. Eagle Rare I have had - indeed, I'm about halfway into the bottle. I prefer ordinary Buffalo Trace. Eagle Rare is an acceptable $25 bottle, but it's not worth more, and it certainly doesn't justify the hype. 10:26 The same palate can differ from day to day, even hour to hour. If y'all ever do a blind of these two again, who knows which one will come out ahead. 🙂 13:08 Whisky tasting is *highly* subjective. Many times, now, I've seen more than one experienced whisky reviewer deal with the same phenomenon. Those who want to jump on y'all need to try a few double blind tastings and see what happens to them when they learn what they've been sipping.
She was about to slap you though. I am with you on glass 1, sweet, oaky is my thing. ER is complex for me, taste different almost every time. But one thing is for sure, I love the wood flavor, it is unique.
Josh! I think I read a quip somewhere online when somebody mentioned bananas on the Russell (or maybe the WT101) in front of Jimmy Russell and he said something akin to, "You better not be smelling bananas." Don't quote me, I might be misremembering that.
There’s a dankness to Eagle rare I just can’t get past. At certain points of the pour I enjoy it but then I’ll take another sip and just find myself grimacing at a weird dank note. Russells 10 though is always enjoyable to me, perfect level of sweet with some further complexity and spice that makes it more interesting.
I am a HUGE Turkey fan. RB and Russels SB are favorites. However, Russel's 10 never impressed me. Eagle Rare was one of my gateway bourbons from Scotch, and I like the dark fruit notes it provides. THat said, it is routinely available in my market for $35-40-ish, and it doesn't warrant any more than $40. People should not pay up for it just because it is a BT product.
I wish I could find Eagle Rare for $35. It can be hard to find, and I've never seen it for less than $45-$60. Russell's is everywhere in my area for $38-40.
I have had both of these and I'll take RR every time. My only Eagle Rare experience was so disappointing that I'll only take it for free, I won't buy it again.
Both of these were pretty good but not great for me as well. I prefer more flavor. Is there anything in the 40ish range (that's what these are in my area) that you have to have or meet that criteria?
I find the Coopers Craft too floral for my palate. But if you like 1792 it might be up your alley. For more flavor at that price range is tough but have you tried the JD triple mash?
Believe it or not it’s pretty available in a lot of markets for $40-60, while in other markets it’s impossible to find as you said. Availability does seem to be improving thanks to the softening whiskey market and Buffalo Trace’s billion dollar expansion to increase production.
Yeah, I've never understood the obsession with ER. Unless you just like super light, smooth whiskey and get easily overpowered by proof and flavor. Don't get me wrong it's fine for $30, but not worth chasing above retail.
This channel is not bad, but it would be a lot better if Erin got to talk more. It is pretty telling that she has to raise her hand to speak... Josh - let the woman speak!
Hey Ben, appreciate you watching. That said, we talk the way we talk. Erin isn’t a bourbon nerd and sometimes doesn’t have much to say, so we operate a lot more like sports announcers where I’m the nerdy chatty one and Erin provides the “color commentary” so to speak. That’s not for everyone, but it works for us. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers!
This channel is identical to @beyondtherow. literally the whole format is the same. They sip at the same time, the women always talks after the first sip, the husband adds to the women’s palate. Also, how does someone give something thumbs up with both fingers, then say I don’t give it two thumbs up?
What do you guys like to buy? What is something you have to have? Do you buy new things just to try them? I buy bottles sometimes just based on the bottle and label. Sometimes it works out other times not so much LOL I find ER here in AZ for $30 but I would not pay more then that for it.
Great question Brian! Gotta have bottles? Very little actually. Outside of channel stuff, we like having flavorful + balanced pours on hand plus single barrel picks for variety. Lots of things fit that bill.
