Maker’s Mark rotates barrels, Wild Turkey does not. Also, Turkey has three maturation campuses - each has their own profile attributes. Wild Turkey 101 has always been “batchy.” Even the dusty stuff varies from year to year. It’s a $25 bottle. I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Cheers!
101 has long been a personal favorite of mine. I usually replace the bottle about every 5 to 6 weeks and agree that it can be "batchy" as Rare Bird puts it. The variances aren't wildly pronounced in general, for me personally, but some are definitely better than others. If something is different enough to catch my attention, it's usually something really, really good. Sometimes it can be lesser than as well. However, I did have a bottle earlier this year that tasted like lemongrass herbal tea - like the rye content was far higher than it usually is and completely took over the bottle. I used that bottle for cocktails, took a few weeks off 101, and then went back to it. Happy to say my old stalwart returned to normal. I would be interested to see if the guys could get someone in who also really likes 101 and have them taste these bottles. My guess is that RB is right, and that the current batch available in the area just ain't it for Kurt. But it would be interesting to see if these are actually bad bottles, or simply a profile variant issue that hopefully passes.
@ I appreciate the video and the comparison. It’s a good illustration of something we’re aware of but others may not be. But at the end of the day, $25.
I wonder if some batches are not the same this year because of the Wild Turkey 70th anniversary edition. WT may have pulled a lot of 8 year barrels out of the normal 101 to make the 70th anniversary bottle.
I know my palate has changed in the past 20 years. But no matter what, Wild Turkey 101 will forever hold a special place in my heart. WT101 was my grandfather's preferred bourbon and it was alway and I mean always in his liquor cabinet...which was always unlocked when I was a teen...if you are picking up what I am putting down.
Gentlemen, hope you both are doing well. I am just starting out on my bourbon journey and came across your channel through the suggested section of a recent Brewzle video. And I've got to say, I love your channel. I think you both provide your own unique insights and opinions on the various whiskeys you discuss in your videos, and it's helping me to decide on what non-allocated bottles I need to try or look out for when I am hunting. It's also refreshing to see a father and son do something together that you clearly both enjoy and have clear passion. You've got a subscruber and viewer in me. Keep doing what you are doing and I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday (and allocated bourbon hunting) season!
Was a big 101 fan and noticed the change before watching both your videos. Something is definitely off and I don’t plan to buy again. Thanks for taking the time to dive in.
I was just at Wild Turkey this past weekend and on the Tour they did mention that they changed the proof that they go into the barrels several years ago. I think right around 2018 they changed it to the current. It's something like 115p now. Prior they had it at 107p. They still take it down to 101 but that proof will definitely change the flavor in the batch while its aging.
Agreed - I don’t think this is a mystery. The old bottles of 101 have 6-8+ year barrels. The new ones don’t, they’ve culled everything that is 8+ for special releases including 70, single rickhouse, 13, 15, etc. Almost all of those barrels used to get blended into 101. Now they’re not.
I took the tour at Wild Turkey on Nov 20. Our guide said that they have received approval for a new 101 label for 2025. The new label will feature an 8 year age statement.
This is a great example of how weather and other conditional variations affect distilleries. Changes in grains from year to year, the difference in growing conditions of the oak used in barrels... all variables. Then add the ultimate variable... the human factor. This is the reason to buy a case when you find the flavor profiles you really like. My opinion.
Rebecca, I usually buy a bottle of WT101 about every six months. It’s my go to warm up pour. It is also what I serve people who are new to whiskey. I’ve never yet had an off profile bottle. I find it to be extremely consistent for me. I’ve purchased larger bottles as well as the standard 750ml. All have been spot on for me. I will say that the Jimmys 70th release this year was a touch better than the standard release.
Which bottle’s result surprised you the most? 🥃 Should we take this experiment further and test more Wild Turkey bottles? Let us know in the comments below!
Suggestion: I love the picture of the bottles in the corner, but it would be great if you put A, B, C & D on the bottom of the screen in front of the bottles after the initial reveal.
can you please do a blind for old/new rare breed(thanks Trenton!). I feel like a lot of their core releases have gone downhill since the launch of more “premium” products. As always, love your videos, thanks!!
For years I had a job in which I got a lot of various bottles of alcohol every Christmas as gifts. I would pass along most of the bottles to my employees and keep a few each year. (I retired fifteen years ago.) A neighbor who moved in two and a half years ago is a bourbon fan. I've dusted off and opened a few bottles for when we sit on my porch, listen to music, sip whiskey and B.S. I had a bottle that of WT 101 that we both liked. I recently opened another fifteen or more-year-old bottle, and we both found it to taste very different. Both were the same label, but different batches, and both were not recent purchases. Batches just vary. This was an interesting video to watch. My buddy follows your channel too. My wife just shakes her head. LOL.
As befuddled as you may have felt during this blind, it was actually a very scientific experiment that proved batch to batch variability for this one. To me, this speaks to quality control issues. If someone at WT tastes a bad batch and thinks this was ok to bottle and that it represented the brand- that is a problem.
This is so informative, and in line with what one would expect. Your #1 bottle in the new label you bought a couple years ago right when the label changed, so it’s the same as the prior label batching, so the order makes sense. And the newest is last place. The only odd thing is the 8 year didn’t come in 1st, but it was close enough at 2nd place. So nothing weird to me.
I remember when we visited the four roses distillery in Kentucky this summer, the tour guide pointed out an old barn on the hillside across the Road and said that used to be a four roses Rick house but they sold it to wild turkey distillery so maybe those barrels came from a different location🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
I would like to see you guys give the same treatment to Woodford Double oak, Old Forester 1920, and regular Buffalo Trace. I think they have all declined in quality in the last couple years.
Purchased my first bottle of WT101 4 months ago, I was a long time Weller SR, and Beam white label guy. Always heard of WT101 being a lot of people's favorite so decided to try it. Initial reaction was that it tasted terrible, and how could people possibly like it. Let it open up for a month and it just never got better. Assuming I got one of the newer bottles as well, who knows. Since then I have tried Russell's 10 and rare breed and really enjoy those.
Been a while since I watched a video. You guy's got me hooked into the world of whiskey. My wife found me a bottle of Old Forrester 1920. I had the highest hopes for the first sip, based off everyone exclaiming how delicious it is, "like drinking pancakes and syrup" they said. Long story short, it was very mediocre. Wild Turkey blows it out the water for me!
This idea is fun to me. I really want you to try like Weller 107...I swear it is not nearly was good as it was in 2019-2020 ! Same with "regualr" Blanton's. Even Evans Williams Sgl Brl was fantastic in 2019-2020, now it is a shadow of what I recall! Thanks guys!
This was one of the most instructive SLB videos I've ever seen. Thanks so much. Dismissing this because it's a $25 bottle misses the point - very many people point to WT101 as being the best bang for the buck. Yeah, usually but I've had bottles that I haven't liked in the past - unusual for me and blended whiskeys.
I tried WT101 for the first time several months back and i only got about half way through the bottle before i dumped it down the drain. The taste in the back of my throat was like wet cardboard. Pretty vile finish. Good to see it isn't just me. Looks like some of the newer batches are just bad.
Love what you guys do. I enjoy the content a lot. Obviously, everyone's taste is different, but given that, what scares me or bothers me the most, is that you can't trust the label (batches) to be consistent enough to make you feel like you're not in a crap shoot and wasting your money.
I'm glad you guys did this - i come across bottles all the time that taste "off" - my palette is likely worse than you guys but i pick up grassy/grainy notes when a bad one hits. Crazy as it sounds 101, Weller Green and Weller Red have all done that to me. One great bottle and then one that you're left wondering what the heck happened?!?!
I think you are on to something real. I’ve only been into bourbon a few years, but have noticed a change in some of my favorite bottles - and none for the better. Old Forester was an early favorite of mine and the last year of production or so, they have slipped - I get distinct acetone notes now. Early batches of the JEP Decnater were very good, but later batches not so much. Are some distilleries cutting corners to meet demand? That’s my guess. Wish they’d get back to batch consistency - some have lost my business as it stands now…
$28 at Total Wine and $32 in many of the independent stores for a 750 ml. The prices have gone up and the quality has fallen. I'll buy the Russell's and the Kentucky Spirit and loved the 70th anniversary bottle. The regular Wild Turkey 101 just isn't worth it when I can get Evan Williams BIB for $22 for mixing and simple neat pours
My theory, offered with respect: storage matters. Fluctuations in temperature can throw flavors in alcohol, which is why wine drinkers are obsessive about provenience and care of long-cellared bottles. Kurt’s two bottles were bought from the same source and stored the same way, which was a different source and method than Trent’s bottle. I think theories about batching are over estimating the effects, especially in an industry where standardization is such an exact science.
We probably won't have to worry too much about it in the next couple of years anyway, once the 101 Aged 8 Years becomes readily available. Still cool to see how different the juice is.
Great video, thanks! And you've just confirmed a suspicion I've had for a while now. I was a longtime WT 101 drinker. Sure, I've had bourbon that was much more expensive, some of which was great, but the WT was my staple. But several months ago, I started to notice a marked change in its palate. And frankly, I thought the nose was a little off as well. I've actually gone through a couple more bottles, just to make sure, because I just thought it must be me. But the way you guys described your 'D' selection is exactly the way I did. It really did have a bit of 'industrial cleaner' vibe to it. Unfortunately, I don't expect to buy WT 101 anytime in the near future, I'm sad to say. In any case, thanks for doing this video. Cheers!
I have an open handle that I liked so much I went back and bought 3 more with the same laser code. Big bold caramel and baking spice, it’s a fine batch. When it’s on point it’s still a top three budget bourbon. Just gotta snag the good ones when you find them.
Does 101 have a natural cork? I have been a professional bartender for years and one time, years ago, I did get a “corked” bottle of high west. As wine enthusiasts know, you get wet cardboard on the nose and it just tastes “off.” There are also varying levels of cork when it is turned. That is what this sounds like. A slightly corked bottle.
Awesome to see, and I like your honesty. We all learned something here. Dont have any insight into Wild Turkey 101 though, havent even tested it. Still very interesting how things change from batch to batch, even for large companies like that
Based on these most recent videos on WT101, I would love to see you compare WT101 to Old Forester 100 or some similar "base level" bourbons. While I seldom sip WT101, I did use it as my go to bourbon for mixers. Thanks!
I’ve noticed a change in the flavor of the newer bottles of 101 and not for the better. I’m hoping it was just a bad batch. On the 101 rye is still a great bottle and I haven’t noticed any difference in flavor from past bottles. Time will tell hopefully it’s not going to stay that way.🥃🥃🥃
I think the most likely situation is that the bottles are just inconsistent now due to the bourbon boom. They say it's aged 6 to 8 years. So I'd imagine to try and keep up with the spike in demand they got less picky with the barrels and are just taking what they have. You just can't adjust to that huge change in demand quickly because of how long it takes to age whiskey and because it's a cheap bottle, I'd say they weren't too worried about inconsistencies. Yeah taste can change over time but it shouldn't be that stark of a contrast that quickly.
Funny you are making this video. I thought my last bottle of 101 i bought this summer was not good. It use to be my every day drinker but i haven't bought one since.
I'm very new to Bourbon but I'm wondering if the atmosphere of the bottle on the shelf in the store had something to affect the product. One store keeps there bottles in a great spot...the next store thinks it's in a great spot buts it's in the sun for 3 hours a day in a corner for so long and they aren't aware. You never know🤷♂️ feel free to tell me I'm wrong, still learning all I can. Love your channel!
Haha, I love how Trenton gets the heat for bringing up 101. I think the real question is how much variation is there amongst bourbon, because it seems that the odd "bad" bottle seems pretty common.
I owned a wine/liquor store for 22 years and worked prior 10+ years of experience. Selected most products by hand selected and tasted everything. There is a variation with vintages of wine and understandable so with changes in the weather, but didn’t realize there is also change in all spirits which can be a challenge to recommend products when this happens.
Currently liking the August 2023 101 bottles a lot more than recent ones. I only noticed while having a 750 and a handle I got at the same time at the store. The 750 was the 23 bottle and way better.
I love all your videos but I really loved this. As a somewhat newbe this opened my mind even more. Not to assume a taste of something is the be all to end all! I am guessing if you do the same thing with Knob Creek, Makers, Russel, Elijah Craig etc the results maybe very similar.
Makers focuses very tightly on consistency of their core products and not on age statements or special releases. WT has tons of special releases so it makes sense their batches are going to end up more variable. There's only so much attention you can give to the barrels in a year.
That lines up with my WT101 experience. I've had some great tasting bottles and others not so much. Probably why I am not a consistent buyer of the stuff. At the same time probably something to if you find a good batch buy more of it bc it aint going to be the same stuff on the next go round.
Had a small bottle if 101 that a buddy had gave me that I forgot about, it was the old label not sure the age. I was excited to taste it but to me it tasted like leather and smoke it was genuinely one of the first one I absolutely didn't like.
Maybe I got the same batch of WT101 as you both got with D because I tried it and just did not care for it. Really enjoy the anniversary 8 year release though!
It's d8fferent things like this that I have also noticed in bottles like this. Got to the point that now I put a sticker on them as to when I buy them. Just something to reference little differences in the flavors.
Yep I’d like to see a similar comparison of rare breed. FWIW I feel I’ve always had batch variation with WT 101, both pre label change and post. To me this seems to be there norm. Perhaps they need to work on their consistency at the WT distillery🤷♂️ I would love for you to have your WT aficionado buddy on to discuss or do a further blind on this. WT 101 is close to my heart also and I have had a love and like/dislike relationship with it over the years. Keep on it boys!!!!
Not sure if a lot of people know this, but ALL Eagle Rare 10yrs are single barrels. It's not stated on the bottle unless it's a singe barrel select. That's just how they are bottled. They don't blend/batch the barrels. They save a lot of time & money just bottling 1 barrel at a time. So, yes, some will be duds.
My first Eagle Rare was one of the best whiskeys I've ever tasted. The bottles that followed have been similar to each other, but not to that very superior 1st bottle I guess I lucked into. My brother had a ER store pick tho, that was up there w my old bottle. Really wish there was some more consistency with any of this stuff!
Wild Turkey may have started to use some younger whiskey (or more whiskey from less desirable aging locations) in the 101 because of increased demand for the higher end products, like Rare Bird, Russell's Reserve, etc. It's also possible that they changed the barrels. This is the kind of thing that could be caused by the increased demand for bourbon during covid, and it could be that increased demand could have led Wild Turkey to use barrels that they would previously have sold to a non-distiller producer of lower-end whiskey.
I was glad to see this blind of WT 101. I bought a recent bottle of 101 and found it to be bad. Not near what I bought a year ago. So Kurt; you and I have had the same experience. I have had this before with different single barrel bourbons but not when in large batch bourbons. I, like Kurt really enjoy Russell’s Reserve or Rare Breed. But I am done buying 101.
I just bought a bottle I saw in a store that had the old label and was bottled in 2021. Having not purchased a 101 in many many years and used as a mixer back then anyway but this particular one I just got has a bit of a nutty taste
While the results may be perplexing (look that word up Trent 😅 ) this was an excellent show that makes us think. There is magic in creating Bourbon and some distilleries spend more energy on a desired flavor profile and I’m sure another 100 reasons why. 🧐
The problem is the same as woodsford reserve. Sometimes you get a buttery one others you can a dry one depending on batch. Wild turkey needs to put batches on their bottles.
I have a bottle of the Russel’s 10 LL/MF and compared it to a bottle I bought early in the year and found it completely disappointing. It was a heavy, bitter oak, and I couldn’t get past the taste could not find any other flavors in it and dumped what I had in my glass. I’ll try it again over Christmas and maybe a couple months after that, but if the profile doesn’t change I hate to say it, but it would be a drain pour for me. I don’t drink mixed drinks. The Russell 10 from earlier in the year was way better.
Video idea: do a versus competition of who can make their own best blend. Have a budget cap like $50 each and do a bourbon and a rye blend each. Then blind each (maybe have a third person as a tie breaker) to see who's is best for each type
Kinda funny I get on UA-cam tonight and you guys are doing Wild Turkey 101 pretty ironic because that was my first poor of the evening a shout out to Wild Turkey for making a budget bottle that is actually very good and at a nice price always a bottle on my bar top
I learned to drink with Austin Nichols 8-yr 101 Wild Turkey in the 1980's. I was pissed when they stopped selling in my area in the 2000's Was told that it was all going to Japan. The new label is ok. But most importantly, my wife now likes Wild Turkey. So far we have not picked a bad bottle like you tasted.
I am a Wild Turkey 101 fanboy. It’s my jam. That said, I personally find all bourbon, not just 101, inconsistent. I have had a lot of great 101’s, a few ok, and an occasional bad. Still, it’s $20-$25. Pound for pound best bourbon in the market. I love a Old Forrester 100, a Evan Williams BIB, and the Jim Beam 7 year, all great budget bourbons, but I still prefer the Turkey.
I wonder if the old label 101 would score better after a bit of time. I notice Turkey can be a bit punchy when first opened. I bought a 70th bottle and it reminded me of what 101 tasted like in an old label. Maybe batches have higher variation than I would have thought. I do notice Makers Cask Strength can have a bit of variation between batches - some better than OWA. I also notice an acetone taste in OF 1920 that was not there in previous batches.
Ok - I've watched you for a couple years. I suspect that the winner depends on a few things: what you eat during the day, how much coffee you had, if you had a good nights sleep, and other random occurrences. Suggestion: try the exact same tasting separated by a week. My guess is that the winner will be different.
I've seen this with several big labels. I had a great bottle of OF 1920 that I loved. When I replaced it it was not nearly as good. I have a bottle of Rare Breed I hate and suspect it is due to poor consistency. I've never had this happen with Makers Mark as Trenton said.
I recently did a tour at Maker’s Mark and they claimed to actually rotate all of their barrels throughout the various floors of the Rickhouse in an attempt to get a consistent flavor profile throughout each barrel. This would probably explain the consistent flavor profile between Maker’s Marks batches. I would assume this batch of 101 is just heavier in barrels that are off profile to the typical 101 flavor profile.
I'd put a recent bottling of WT101 that I found for $31 a handle up against the new 101 8 year limited release, and it might even beat it. But most other recent itinerations of 101 I've had have fallen short of the mark. One thing is for sure, if you're looking for a bourbon that varies wildly in quality batch to batch, look no further than turkey 101.
I used to love 101. I'm in the UK, so it's ever-so-slightly exotic here. But I've since "graduated" to Rare Breed, which is now my daily sipper, and though I still like 101.. it's more for nostalgia. I wouldn't buy it as a basic Bourbon now, either for sipping or cocktails. There's better options in the price bracket in the UK.
I like WT101. Bought a new bottle the other day. First impression was a metalic taste. I took another taste today and it tasted better. Perhaps tomorrow it will be back to normal.
A couple questions. What were the laser codes on the bottles? Does the laser code on the bottle designate different batches? Is there even any way to differentiate different batches? (I would think there would have to be for quality control/safety) If so, you guys have opened up a whole new line of exploration/tastings. Which makes perfect sense. There is a human factor in the blending of whiskeys and the blenders, while having highly trained exceptional tasting senses are subject of human foibles. So, it is a given some batches will be "better" than others, or worse depending on your own preferences, but there will definitively be differences. So now you have to start not only comparing different brands/styles, tiers etc in tastings/recommendations, but batches There may have been a little hint of this in the whole Russel's 10 year "LLME" code thing. Perhaps you have created a whole new area of "FOMO" related to certain batches of the ostensibly "same" whiskey? Very interesting, well-done Kurt and Trent. SLB on the leading edge...
This is a debate me and my buddies had several times. I remember the older label tasting a lil sweet and amazing overall. The newer bottles just don't give me the Carmel like it did with the older bottles. The new bottles give me a slight grassy & a very minute/hint of maybe a rye when i exhale through the nose after a sip when it was never there before with the older bottles. Me myself. I absolutely love the older bottles. I still drink the new bottles but definitely miss the older bottles for sure! Wish i would have loaded up on them when i noticed the difference when both were still on the shelves.
SLB Classics 0:02 Kurt might be worried for his love of WT101 AND black glens 1:20 Kurt might be losing his mind…. But we will see about his palette 2:36 Trenton doesn’t like WT, but he needs the freshest 3:00 Thanks Matt! 3:51 Trenton does get stuck with the “bad” bottles 4:44 distinctive hug? 4:49 …. We need the mind noodling! 6:10 gotta keep the price perspective 6:28 mom is always a strong keeper of secrets 6:45 keep the puns going 7:39 the boys are really at a loss for words 7:48 uh oh lesser? New whiskey is better? 8:23 only honesty here 8:35 some serious foreshadowing 9:21 Trenton’s eyebrows are activated 9:32 uh oh…. Blinds must be hard 10:21 here comes some truth 10:28 FINALLY a Trenton note OLD BASEMENT SOFA 10:41 Trenton is holding back the good ideas 11:18 Trenton has a limited vocabulary 11:27 Kurt is just rubbing in the fact that he finished school;) 12:00 well maybe Kurt is just bad at getting bottles 12:27 Trenton is a rough judge of the WT 12:42 no cuts and no deletes 13:05 Trenton’s crazy notes are always right 13:35 good thing they’re not pros. Forgot the water and forgot the furnace. Forgot the fridge too 14:24 mom is getting SWOL! 14:44 Trenton knows what he said 15:23 sometimes the boys like D but not this time 15:51 the boys don’t warm up for the videos 17:16 Trenton admits that he likes WT…. Sometimes 18:03 honesty is key 18:50 they boys still live on a budget, the budget bottles are good too 19:27 all about the ratio 20:29 drum roll starts 20:46 sometimes the order is made up but the place is correct 22:14 now the surprises are kicking in hard 22:52 send Trenton to the store for the budget bottles 24:22 I think it blows all our minds 25:30 going back on their word even before the video is over 25:53 let the conspiracies roll in 26:36 Kurt hates picking his favorite child 27:21 Kurt is taking the good whiskey while he can 28:23 an SLB interview? 10 bourbons in a flight getting spicier and spicier 29:32 much ramble. We are confused too 30:15 nice sign off and nod
There was a batch of 101 1.75 bottles that was really bad a few years ago. WT was giving a replacement bottle and a bottle of rare breed if you bought that bottle.
I didn’t notice a change in flavor immediately when the label changed, but a few months later it started going south. Makes sense as you wouldn’t wanna shock with new label and worse flavor at the same time lol
rumor had it that as covid hit, there were a lot of older barrels sitting around. WT had a big sell through / spike in sales. So they grabbed a bunch of those older barrels and blended them into 101- not necessarily the best barrels which would have gone into single barrels or anything like that. But by adding more of the 8-12 year barrels, there were some really good tasting 101's floating around. And now they have not been able to keep that quality the same as those barrels are now being put into Russel's and other higher $ options.
Had some at a friends house the other day and it definitely didn't taste like I remembered it. Had a weird cough syrupy flavor. Actually my latest Russell's Reserve 10 had a similar thing going on. Glad I'm not going crazy.
I'm so curious as to what the bottled dates are on these, but I'm not sure I want to know. Was there just a bad batch and newer batches are better? I have to agree with Trenton when he said "there is a lot at stake here". I'd hate to openly admit that Jim Beam Black 7 year is my new cheap bourbon of choice.
Please, please do a review of Boulder Spirits out of Colorado!!! They have some great stuff and five of their products made Fred Minicks top 25 list. Their most expensive bottle is $80 and we’ll worth it. Let’s get this wonderful distillery some national exposure.
Several things to consider: 1 Did you rinse the glencairn with distilled water and then dry it prior to pouring? ( soap residue can affect flavor ) 2 You should never make full flavor judgements on the first sip/round. Your pallet needs to be acclimated. 3 Every pour will open up after 5-10 mins in the glass and change the aroma and flavor.
@@RealEyezRealizeRealLies don’t need to be a white night to know that these guys know what they’re doing insinuate stuff like you did makes you sound like the white night. Kurt is probably been drinking bourbon since you’ve been in diapers, my man.
@@RealEyezRealizeRealLies the bottom line is wild turkey 1 oh1 is mass production and I can pick it up for 1799 a bottle which means they’re not going to waste a lot of time on batched , consistency, and their lower price point products. Why would you?
As a longtime and regular WT101, this doesn't surprise me much. I've been finding variances in these bottles for years. But since I typically drink 101 with a lot of ice, and some water, they don't bother me as much.
Yeah, my first 101 was so good, and then, the next, I was a little surprised how it was less. I'm hoping for a good batch every time. It's just not consistant.
Maker’s Mark rotates barrels, Wild Turkey does not. Also, Turkey has three maturation campuses - each has their own profile attributes. Wild Turkey 101 has always been “batchy.” Even the dusty stuff varies from year to year. It’s a $25 bottle. I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Cheers!
101 has long been a personal favorite of mine. I usually replace the bottle about every 5 to 6 weeks and agree that it can be "batchy" as Rare Bird puts it. The variances aren't wildly pronounced in general, for me personally, but some are definitely better than others. If something is different enough to catch my attention, it's usually something really, really good. Sometimes it can be lesser than as well.
However, I did have a bottle earlier this year that tasted like lemongrass herbal tea - like the rye content was far higher than it usually is and completely took over the bottle. I used that bottle for cocktails, took a few weeks off 101, and then went back to it. Happy to say my old stalwart returned to normal.
I would be interested to see if the guys could get someone in who also really likes 101 and have them taste these bottles. My guess is that RB is right, and that the current batch available in the area just ain't it for Kurt. But it would be interesting to see if these are actually bad bottles, or simply a profile variant issue that hopefully passes.
I agree. These guys are getting too into the weeds with a $25 bottle. Everyone's palate is different, but it's still a great pour at that price.
@ I appreciate the video and the comparison. It’s a good illustration of something we’re aware of but others may not be. But at the end of the day, $25.
Thank you sir!
Never had a good bottle of 101! Always tastes bad to me. I love Russell’s Reserve products though.
I wonder if some batches are not the same this year because of the Wild Turkey 70th anniversary edition. WT may have pulled a lot of 8 year barrels out of the normal 101 to make the 70th anniversary bottle.
I had the same thought! They should blind the 70th with those bottles. Maybe even blend Kurt’s bad bottle with 70th and see what happens!
Considering the TTB just approved a new 8yr to be distributed in the US, it seems this may be the new norm for WT101.
I agree. They 70th is delicious, and much better than recent bottles of 101...
Seems like the 70th is the new 101.
@@tpop3723unfortunately at double the price
I know my palate has changed in the past 20 years. But no matter what, Wild Turkey 101 will forever hold a special place in my heart. WT101 was my grandfather's preferred bourbon and it was alway and I mean always in his liquor cabinet...which was always unlocked when I was a teen...if you are picking up what I am putting down.
Gentlemen, hope you both are doing well. I am just starting out on my bourbon journey and came across your channel through the suggested section of a recent Brewzle video. And I've got to say, I love your channel. I think you both provide your own unique insights and opinions on the various whiskeys you discuss in your videos, and it's helping me to decide on what non-allocated bottles I need to try or look out for when I am hunting. It's also refreshing to see a father and son do something together that you clearly both enjoy and have clear passion. You've got a subscruber and viewer in me. Keep doing what you are doing and I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday (and allocated bourbon hunting) season!
@@xkptwistblazex thank you so much. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime
Everyone send Kurt your WT 101 bottles.. 50 way blind!
😂
Was a big 101 fan and noticed the change before watching both your videos. Something is definitely off and I don’t plan to buy again. Thanks for taking the time to dive in.
I would love to hear what replaced WT101 on your shelf. Cheers!
I actually can't tell the difference in the recent bottles I've purchased. Might be the batch you received. Still a great pour and my daily drinker!
Same here! I noticed a difference and not a ‘good’ difference with my last bottle. Thought it was just me.
Same here
I was just at Wild Turkey this past weekend and on the Tour they did mention that they changed the proof that they go into the barrels several years ago. I think right around 2018 they changed it to the current. It's something like 115p now. Prior they had it at 107p. They still take it down to 101 but that proof will definitely change the flavor in the batch while its aging.
Wild Turkey changed to 115 barrel entry proof in 2006. RareBird101 has some good articles.
Going into the barrel at higher proof saves them money. Once proofed down you get more product from each barrel.
More water, less bourbon
I think they are referring to recent 2024 bottles tasting different.
11:58 "that back-end got a little bit rough..."
Trenton: *_convulses_*
lol good catch
"Due to wildly changing flavor profiles, we will be changing the name of Wild Turkey to 'Variable Turkey.'" 😎
Wild Card Turkey
✔️Austin Nichols 😍✔️
Volaturkety
Trepidation Turkey 101
wild works too tho
Agreed - I don’t think this is a mystery. The old bottles of 101 have 6-8+ year barrels. The new ones don’t, they’ve culled everything that is 8+ for special releases including 70, single rickhouse, 13, 15, etc. Almost all of those barrels used to get blended into 101. Now they’re not.
I took the tour at Wild Turkey on Nov 20. Our guide said that they have received approval for a new 101 label for 2025. The new label will feature an 8 year age statement.
@@bobborgstede837 So was he saying the new standard 101 will be 8 years minimum or the 8 year is an additional release?
@@bobborgstede837 Wonder if price will be the same?
@@gregsmith5132if it’s age stated @8, that means it’s a minimum of 8 so to answer your question, yea.
How do you know the new ones don't? Did you hear this direct from Wild Turkey?
This is a great example of how weather and other conditional variations affect distilleries. Changes in grains from year to year, the difference in growing conditions of the oak used in barrels... all variables. Then add the ultimate variable... the human factor. This is the reason to buy a case when you find the flavor profiles you really like. My opinion.
Blends should not vary..... these aren't small batches or single barrels.
Rebecca, I usually buy a bottle of WT101 about every six months. It’s my go to warm up pour. It is also what I serve people who are new to whiskey. I’ve never yet had an off profile bottle. I find it to be extremely consistent for me. I’ve purchased larger bottles as well as the standard 750ml. All have been spot on for me. I will say that the Jimmys 70th release this year was a touch better than the standard release.
Which bottle’s result surprised you the most? 🥃 Should we take this experiment further and test more Wild Turkey bottles? Let us know in the comments below!
Should do a budget rye blind with blue note rye, WT 101 Rye, OGD 114 and something else of your guys choice!!
Yes! Do it. I'm an analytical chemist and love this!
Suggestion: I love the picture of the bottles in the corner, but it would be great if you put A, B, C & D on the bottom of the screen in front of the bottles after the initial reveal.
can you please do a blind for old/new rare breed(thanks Trenton!). I feel like a lot of their core releases have gone downhill since the launch of more “premium” products. As always, love your videos, thanks!!
I'm really enjoying the deep dive into the turkey. We need to get to the bottom of this.
For years I had a job in which I got a lot of various bottles of alcohol every Christmas as gifts. I would pass along most of the bottles to my employees and keep a few each year. (I retired fifteen years ago.) A neighbor who moved in two and a half years ago is a bourbon fan. I've dusted off and opened a few bottles for when we sit on my porch, listen to music, sip whiskey and B.S. I had a bottle that of WT 101 that we both liked. I recently opened another fifteen or more-year-old bottle, and we both found it to taste very different. Both were the same label, but different batches, and both were not recent purchases. Batches just vary. This was an interesting video to watch. My buddy follows your channel too. My wife just shakes her head. LOL.
As befuddled as you may have felt during this blind, it was actually a very scientific experiment that proved batch to batch variability for this one. To me, this speaks to quality control issues. If someone at WT tastes a bad batch and thinks this was ok to bottle and that it represented the brand- that is a problem.
This is so informative, and in line with what one would expect. Your #1 bottle in the new label you bought a couple years ago right when the label changed, so it’s the same as the prior label batching, so the order makes sense. And the newest is last place. The only odd thing is the 8 year didn’t come in 1st, but it was close enough at 2nd place. So nothing weird to me.
I remember when we visited the four roses distillery in Kentucky this summer, the tour guide pointed out an old barn on the hillside across the Road and said that used to be a four roses Rick house but they sold it to wild turkey distillery so maybe those barrels came from a different location🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
I would like to see you guys give the same treatment to Woodford Double oak, Old Forester 1920, and regular Buffalo Trace. I think they have all declined in quality in the last couple years.
Purchased my first bottle of WT101 4 months ago, I was a long time Weller SR, and Beam white label guy. Always heard of WT101 being a lot of people's favorite so decided to try it. Initial reaction was that it tasted terrible, and how could people possibly like it. Let it open up for a month and it just never got better. Assuming I got one of the newer bottles as well, who knows. Since then I have tried Russell's 10 and rare breed and really enjoy those.
I ‘ve never enjoyed 101. All I ever get from it is oak and ethanol. No sweetness, no caramel, nothing pleasant. I never understood the love for it.
I really got upset when they went away from the iconic old label wtf are they thinking you have to have the bird on the label too iconic
to be fair, on the new bottles the turkey is a part of the bottle itself. it's raised glass above the label.
What are the laser codes on the newer bottles for the one you like vs the one that is Meh?
I am dying to know this as well
Been a while since I watched a video. You guy's got me hooked into the world of whiskey. My wife found me a bottle of Old Forrester 1920. I had the highest hopes for the first sip, based off everyone exclaiming how delicious it is, "like drinking pancakes and syrup" they said.
Long story short, it was very mediocre. Wild Turkey blows it out the water for me!
This idea is fun to me. I really want you to try like Weller 107...I swear it is not nearly was good as it was in 2019-2020 ! Same with "regualr" Blanton's. Even Evans Williams Sgl Brl was fantastic in 2019-2020, now it is a shadow of what I recall! Thanks guys!
This was one of the most instructive SLB videos I've ever seen. Thanks so much. Dismissing this because it's a $25 bottle misses the point - very many people point to WT101 as being the best bang for the buck. Yeah, usually but I've had bottles that I haven't liked in the past - unusual for me and blended whiskeys.
I tried WT101 for the first time several months back and i only got about half way through the bottle before i dumped it down the drain. The taste in the back of my throat was like wet cardboard. Pretty vile finish.
Good to see it isn't just me. Looks like some of the newer batches are just bad.
Love what you guys do. I enjoy the content a lot. Obviously, everyone's taste is different, but given that, what scares me or bothers me the most, is that you can't trust the label (batches) to be consistent enough to make you feel like you're not in a crap shoot and wasting your money.
I'm glad you guys did this - i come across bottles all the time that taste "off" - my palette is likely worse than you guys but i pick up grassy/grainy notes when a bad one hits. Crazy as it sounds 101, Weller Green and Weller Red have all done that to me. One great bottle and then one that you're left wondering what the heck happened?!?!
I think you are on to something real. I’ve only been into bourbon a few years, but have noticed a change in some of my favorite bottles - and none for the better. Old Forester was an early favorite of mine and the last year of production or so, they have slipped - I get distinct acetone notes now. Early batches of the JEP Decnater were very good, but later batches not so much.
Are some distilleries cutting corners to meet demand? That’s my guess. Wish they’d get back to batch consistency - some have lost my business as it stands now…
I just finished my JEP decanter last night. It was batch 36. It was fine to me but I didn't get the hype.
@ - my batch 12 was great - others, not so much …
$28 at Total Wine and $32 in many of the independent stores for a 750 ml. The prices have gone up and the quality has fallen. I'll buy the Russell's and the Kentucky Spirit and loved the 70th anniversary bottle. The regular Wild Turkey 101 just isn't worth it when I can get Evan Williams BIB for $22 for mixing and simple neat pours
My theory, offered with respect: storage matters. Fluctuations in temperature can throw flavors in alcohol, which is why wine drinkers are obsessive about provenience and care of long-cellared bottles. Kurt’s two bottles were bought from the same source and stored the same way, which was a different source and method than Trent’s bottle. I think theories about batching are over estimating the effects, especially in an industry where standardization is such an exact science.
what about transportation during say the summer verse the winter in semi trucks and local distributor warehouses ?
We probably won't have to worry too much about it in the next couple of years anyway, once the 101 Aged 8 Years becomes readily available.
Still cool to see how different the juice is.
Great video, thanks! And you've just confirmed a suspicion I've had for a while now. I was a longtime WT 101 drinker. Sure, I've had bourbon that was much more expensive, some of which was great, but the WT was my staple. But several months ago, I started to notice a marked change in its palate. And frankly, I thought the nose was a little off as well. I've actually gone through a couple more bottles, just to make sure, because I just thought it must be me. But the way you guys described your 'D' selection is exactly the way I did. It really did have a bit of 'industrial cleaner' vibe to it. Unfortunately, I don't expect to buy WT 101 anytime in the near future, I'm sad to say. In any case, thanks for doing this video. Cheers!
I have an open handle that I liked so much I went back and bought 3 more with the same laser code. Big bold caramel and baking spice, it’s a fine batch. When it’s on point it’s still a top three budget bourbon. Just gotta snag the good ones when you find them.
Does 101 have a natural cork? I have been a professional bartender for years and one time, years ago, I did get a “corked” bottle of high west. As wine enthusiasts know, you get wet cardboard on the nose and it just tastes “off.” There are also varying levels of cork when it is turned. That is what this sounds like. A slightly corked bottle.
I just bought my annual bottles of holiday spirits. Thanks to your last WT 101 video, I passed on it for Buffalo Trace.
Agreed check those serial numbers maybe a off batch. Love the 101 rye and regular thanks for the research 🥃
Would love to see same with OF 1910 and 1920.
Awesome to see, and I like your honesty. We all learned something here. Dont have any insight into Wild Turkey 101 though, havent even tested it. Still very interesting how things change from batch to batch, even for large companies like that
Based on these most recent videos on WT101, I would love to see you compare WT101 to Old Forester 100 or some similar "base level" bourbons. While I seldom sip WT101, I did use it as my go to bourbon for mixers. Thanks!
I’ve noticed a change in the flavor of the newer bottles of 101 and not for the better. I’m hoping it was just a bad batch. On the 101 rye is still a great bottle and I haven’t noticed any difference in flavor from past bottles. Time will tell hopefully it’s not going to stay that way.🥃🥃🥃
I think the most likely situation is that the bottles are just inconsistent now due to the bourbon boom. They say it's aged 6 to 8 years. So I'd imagine to try and keep up with the spike in demand they got less picky with the barrels and are just taking what they have. You just can't adjust to that huge change in demand quickly because of how long it takes to age whiskey and because it's a cheap bottle, I'd say they weren't too worried about inconsistencies. Yeah taste can change over time but it shouldn't be that stark of a contrast that quickly.
Funny you are making this video. I thought my last bottle of 101 i bought this summer was not good. It use to be my every day drinker but i haven't bought one since.
I'm very new to Bourbon but I'm wondering if the atmosphere of the bottle on the shelf in the store had something to affect the product. One store keeps there bottles in a great spot...the next store thinks it's in a great spot buts it's in the sun for 3 hours a day in a corner for so long and they aren't aware. You never know🤷♂️ feel free to tell me I'm wrong, still learning all I can. Love your channel!
Haha, I love how Trenton gets the heat for bringing up 101.
I think the real question is how much variation is there amongst bourbon, because it seems that the odd "bad" bottle seems pretty common.
I owned a wine/liquor store for 22 years and worked prior 10+ years of experience. Selected most products by hand selected and tasted everything. There is a variation with vintages of wine and understandable so with changes in the weather, but didn’t realize there is also change in all spirits which can be a challenge to recommend products when this happens.
Yep gotta share the laser codes now 😂
Currently liking the August 2023 101 bottles a lot more than recent ones. I only noticed while having a 750 and a handle I got at the same time at the store. The 750 was the 23 bottle and way better.
I love all your videos but I really loved this. As a somewhat newbe this opened my mind even more. Not to assume a taste of something is the be all to end all! I am guessing if you do the same thing with Knob Creek, Makers, Russel, Elijah Craig etc the results maybe very similar.
Makers focuses very tightly on consistency of their core products and not on age statements or special releases. WT has tons of special releases so it makes sense their batches are going to end up more variable. There's only so much attention you can give to the barrels in a year.
They take pride in putting out an extremely consistent product. Which is great for me bc I love Makers
Kurt!!! Brilliant long con. Oh my they are all so different, we should do a full flight of Wild Turkey. Sneaky sneaky!
That lines up with my WT101 experience. I've had some great tasting bottles and others not so much. Probably why I am not a consistent buyer of the stuff. At the same time probably something to if you find a good batch buy more of it bc it aint going to be the same stuff on the next go round.
The older bottles were Pernod Ricard, since they sold it the flavor has changed.
Had a small bottle if 101 that a buddy had gave me that I forgot about, it was the old label not sure the age. I was excited to taste it but to me it tasted like leather and smoke it was genuinely one of the first one I absolutely didn't like.
Maybe I got the same batch of WT101 as you both got with D because I tried it and just did not care for it. Really enjoy the anniversary 8 year release though!
Can’t hear the furnace. You guys are doing a great job.
It's d8fferent things like this that I have also noticed in bottles like this. Got to the point that now I put a sticker on them as to when I buy them. Just something to reference little differences in the flavors.
Yep I’d like to see a similar comparison of rare breed. FWIW I feel I’ve always had batch variation with WT 101, both pre label change and post. To me this seems to be there norm. Perhaps they need to work on their consistency at the WT distillery🤷♂️
I would love for you to have your WT aficionado buddy on to discuss or do a further blind on this. WT 101 is close to my heart also and I have had a love and like/dislike relationship with it over the years.
Keep on it boys!!!!
I'm the same with Eagle Rare. Had two bottles that drank like $14, one like $30 and a stunner that drank like $60.
I agree, I have a recent Eagle Rare that just is disappointing
Not sure if a lot of people know this, but ALL Eagle Rare 10yrs are single barrels. It's not stated on the bottle unless it's a singe barrel select.
That's just how they are bottled. They don't blend/batch the barrels. They save a lot of time & money just bottling 1 barrel at a time.
So, yes, some will be duds.
My first Eagle Rare was one of the best whiskeys I've ever tasted. The bottles that followed have been similar to each other, but not to that very superior 1st bottle I guess I lucked into. My brother had a ER store pick tho, that was up there w my old bottle. Really wish there was some more consistency with any of this stuff!
@@JerboFotius That's why they call it "Single Barrel Roulette" hah.
Makes it less boring than if you knew exactly what you were going to get.
I will say, great recommendation on the Cedar Ridge! Picked up a CR rye this weekend for like $37 and its wonderful!
Wild Turkey may have started to use some younger whiskey (or more whiskey from less desirable aging locations) in the 101 because of increased demand for the higher end products, like Rare Bird, Russell's Reserve, etc. It's also possible that they changed the barrels. This is the kind of thing that could be caused by the increased demand for bourbon during covid, and it could be that increased demand could have led Wild Turkey to use barrels that they would previously have sold to a non-distiller producer of lower-end whiskey.
Don’t worry about the furnace refrigerator etc. etc. we all have furnaces and refrigerators running where we are too.
not in AZ 😁
@ must suck to not have a refrigerator
yall need to do a video with a discussion about this with Rarebird please!! would also love to see a blind with different rarebreed bacthes!!
I was glad to see this blind of WT 101. I bought a recent bottle of 101 and found it to be bad. Not near what I bought a year ago. So Kurt; you and I have had the same experience.
I have had this before with different single barrel bourbons but not when in large batch bourbons. I, like Kurt really enjoy Russell’s Reserve or Rare Breed. But I am done buying 101.
I just bought a bottle I saw in a store that had the old label and was bottled in 2021. Having not purchased a 101 in many many years and used as a mixer back then anyway but this particular one I just got has a bit of a nutty taste
While the results may be perplexing (look that word up Trent 😅 ) this was an excellent show that makes us think. There is magic in creating Bourbon and some distilleries spend more energy on a desired flavor profile and I’m sure another 100 reasons why. 🧐
The problem is the same as woodsford reserve. Sometimes you get a buttery one others you can a dry one depending on batch. Wild turkey needs to put batches on their bottles.
The do. The date code
We need to look at WT101 laser codes now or what? 😂
That's what I'm thinking. Try a bottle every time a new batch comes out, and stock up when you find one you like. Use the rest for mixers.
I have a bottle of the Russel’s 10 LL/MF and compared it to a bottle I bought early in the year and found it completely disappointing. It was a heavy, bitter oak, and I couldn’t get past the taste could not find any other flavors in it and dumped what I had in my glass. I’ll try it again over Christmas and maybe a couple months after that, but if the profile doesn’t change I hate to say it, but it would be a drain pour for me. I don’t drink mixed drinks. The Russell 10 from earlier in the year was way better.
Video idea: do a versus competition of who can make their own best blend. Have a budget cap like $50 each and do a bourbon and a rye blend each. Then blind each (maybe have a third person as a tie breaker) to see who's is best for each type
I am wondering if the letters in laser etching on the latest two bottles are the same.
Kinda funny I get on UA-cam tonight and you guys are doing Wild Turkey 101 pretty ironic because that was my first poor of the evening a shout out to Wild Turkey for making a budget bottle that is actually very good and at a nice price always a bottle on my bar top
I learned to drink with Austin Nichols 8-yr 101 Wild Turkey in the 1980's. I was pissed when they stopped selling in my area in the 2000's Was told that it was all going to Japan. The new label is ok. But most importantly, my wife now likes Wild Turkey. So far we have not picked a bad bottle like you tasted.
Love your videos. Just a heads up the volume level on this episode was probably 25% lower than usual.
I am a Wild Turkey 101 fanboy. It’s my jam.
That said, I personally find all bourbon, not just 101, inconsistent.
I have had a lot of great 101’s, a few ok, and an occasional bad.
Still, it’s $20-$25. Pound for pound best bourbon in the market.
I love a Old Forrester 100, a Evan Williams BIB, and the Jim Beam 7 year, all great budget bourbons, but I still prefer the Turkey.
I wonder if the old label 101 would score better after a bit of time. I notice Turkey can be a bit punchy when first opened. I bought a 70th bottle and it reminded me of what 101 tasted like in an old label. Maybe batches have higher variation than I would have thought. I do notice Makers Cask Strength can have a bit of variation between batches - some better than OWA. I also notice an acetone taste in OF 1920 that was not there in previous batches.
Ok - I've watched you for a couple years. I suspect that the winner depends on a few things: what you eat during the day, how much coffee you had, if you had a good nights sleep, and other random occurrences. Suggestion: try the exact same tasting separated by a week. My guess is that the winner will be different.
I've seen this with several big labels. I had a great bottle of OF 1920 that I loved. When I replaced it it was not nearly as good. I have a bottle of Rare Breed I hate and suspect it is due to poor consistency. I've never had this happen with Makers Mark as Trenton said.
2 things It would be interesting to see yalls note sheets and doing a Benchmark blind would be interesting
I recently did a tour at Maker’s Mark and they claimed to actually rotate all of their barrels throughout the various floors of the Rickhouse in an attempt to get a consistent flavor profile throughout each barrel. This would probably explain the consistent flavor profile between Maker’s Marks batches. I would assume this batch of 101 is just heavier in barrels that are off profile to the typical 101 flavor profile.
I'd put a recent bottling of WT101 that I found for $31 a handle up against the new 101 8 year limited release, and it might even beat it. But most other recent itinerations of 101 I've had have fallen short of the mark. One thing is for sure, if you're looking for a bourbon that varies wildly in quality batch to batch, look no further than turkey 101.
I haven't been a WT 101 fan neat, only a mixer. My budget palette profile is Heaven Hill and Brown-Forman.
Love the sipping Glasses!!
I used to love 101. I'm in the UK, so it's ever-so-slightly exotic here. But I've since "graduated" to Rare Breed, which is now my daily sipper, and though I still like 101.. it's more for nostalgia. I wouldn't buy it as a basic Bourbon now, either for sipping or cocktails. There's better options in the price bracket in the UK.
I like WT101. Bought a new bottle the other day. First impression was a metalic taste. I took another taste today and it tasted better. Perhaps tomorrow it will be back to normal.
A couple questions. What were the laser codes on the bottles? Does the laser code on the bottle designate different batches? Is there even any way to differentiate different batches? (I would think there would have to be for quality control/safety) If so, you guys have opened up a whole new line of exploration/tastings. Which makes perfect sense. There is a human factor in the blending of whiskeys and the blenders, while having highly trained exceptional tasting senses are subject of human foibles. So, it is a given some batches will be "better" than others, or worse depending on your own preferences, but there will definitively be differences.
So now you have to start not only comparing different brands/styles, tiers etc in tastings/recommendations, but batches There may have been a little hint of this in the whole Russel's 10 year "LLME" code thing. Perhaps you have created a whole new area of "FOMO" related to certain batches of the ostensibly "same" whiskey?
Very interesting, well-done Kurt and Trent. SLB on the leading edge...
This is a debate me and my buddies had several times. I remember the older label tasting a lil sweet and amazing overall. The newer bottles just don't give me the Carmel like it did with the older bottles. The new bottles give me a slight grassy & a very minute/hint of maybe a rye when i exhale through the nose after a sip when it was never there before with the older bottles. Me myself. I absolutely love the older bottles. I still drink the new bottles but definitely miss the older bottles for sure! Wish i would have loaded up on them when i noticed the difference when both were still on the shelves.
SLB Classics
0:02 Kurt might be worried for his love of WT101 AND black glens
1:20 Kurt might be losing his mind…. But we will see about his palette
2:36 Trenton doesn’t like WT, but he needs the freshest
3:00 Thanks Matt!
3:51 Trenton does get stuck with the “bad” bottles
4:44 distinctive hug?
4:49 …. We need the mind noodling!
6:10 gotta keep the price perspective
6:28 mom is always a strong keeper of secrets
6:45 keep the puns going
7:39 the boys are really at a loss for words
7:48 uh oh lesser? New whiskey is better?
8:23 only honesty here
8:35 some serious foreshadowing
9:21 Trenton’s eyebrows are activated
9:32 uh oh…. Blinds must be hard
10:21 here comes some truth
10:28 FINALLY a Trenton note OLD BASEMENT SOFA
10:41 Trenton is holding back the good ideas
11:18 Trenton has a limited vocabulary
11:27 Kurt is just rubbing in the fact that he finished school;)
12:00 well maybe Kurt is just bad at getting bottles
12:27 Trenton is a rough judge of the WT
12:42 no cuts and no deletes
13:05 Trenton’s crazy notes are always right
13:35 good thing they’re not pros. Forgot the water and forgot the furnace. Forgot the fridge too
14:24 mom is getting SWOL!
14:44 Trenton knows what he said
15:23 sometimes the boys like D but not this time
15:51 the boys don’t warm up for the videos
17:16 Trenton admits that he likes WT…. Sometimes
18:03 honesty is key
18:50 they boys still live on a budget, the budget bottles are good too
19:27 all about the ratio
20:29 drum roll starts
20:46 sometimes the order is made up but the place is correct
22:14 now the surprises are kicking in hard
22:52 send Trenton to the store for the budget bottles
24:22 I think it blows all our minds
25:30 going back on their word even before the video is over
25:53 let the conspiracies roll in
26:36 Kurt hates picking his favorite child
27:21 Kurt is taking the good whiskey while he can
28:23 an SLB interview? 10 bourbons in a flight getting spicier and spicier
29:32 much ramble. We are confused too
30:15 nice sign off and nod
Keep it rolling!
I agree with Trent. This really muddies the water and deepens the mystery, lol.
1st makers mark 46 I bought was amazing. Bought a second bottle and it was night and day worse, had a moldy crawlspace taste. I was shocked
Never had a bad bottle of makers mark period , from standard to 101 to 46 and 46 cask strength
There was a batch of 101 1.75 bottles that was really bad a few years ago. WT was giving a replacement bottle and a bottle of rare breed if you bought that bottle.
David Jennings Rare Brid 101 will be on my channel on Dec 17, you two are more than welcome to join and ask questions.
I didn’t notice a change in flavor immediately when the label changed, but a few months later it started going south. Makes sense as you wouldn’t wanna shock with new label and worse flavor at the same time lol
rumor had it that as covid hit, there were a lot of older barrels sitting around. WT had a big sell through / spike in sales. So they grabbed a bunch of those older barrels and blended them into 101- not necessarily the best barrels which would have gone into single barrels or anything like that. But by adding more of the 8-12 year barrels, there were some really good tasting 101's floating around. And now they have not been able to keep that quality the same as those barrels are now being put into Russel's and other higher $ options.
I absolutely agree with you. I don't know what they've changed, but it tastes like it has less age.
Had some at a friends house the other day and it definitely didn't taste like I remembered it. Had a weird cough syrupy flavor. Actually my latest Russell's Reserve 10 had a similar thing going on. Glad I'm not going crazy.
I'm so curious as to what the bottled dates are on these, but I'm not sure I want to know. Was there just a bad batch and newer batches are better? I have to agree with Trenton when he said "there is a lot at stake here". I'd hate to openly admit that Jim Beam Black 7 year is my new cheap bourbon of choice.
Please, please do a review of Boulder Spirits out of Colorado!!! They have some great stuff and five of their products made Fred Minicks top 25 list. Their most expensive bottle is $80 and we’ll worth it. Let’s get this wonderful distillery some national exposure.
Several things to consider:
1 Did you rinse the glencairn with distilled water and then dry it prior to pouring? ( soap residue can affect flavor )
2 You should never make full flavor judgements on the first sip/round. Your pallet needs to be acclimated.
3 Every pour will open up after 5-10 mins in the glass and change the aroma and flavor.
Kurt is no amature please 🤦♂️🙄
@Bourbonandbrews OK white knight
@@RealEyezRealizeRealLies don’t need to be a white night to know that these guys know what they’re doing insinuate stuff like you did makes you sound like the white night. Kurt is probably been drinking bourbon since you’ve been in diapers, my man.
@@RealEyezRealizeRealLies the bottom line is wild turkey 1 oh1 is mass production and I can pick it up for 1799 a bottle which means they’re not going to waste a lot of time on batched , consistency, and their lower price point products. Why would you?
@Bourbonandbrews Because some still care about quality and of all brands WT has been known to be quite consistent
As a longtime and regular WT101, this doesn't surprise me much. I've been finding variances in these bottles for years. But since I typically drink 101 with a lot of ice, and some water, they don't bother me as much.
Yeah, my first 101 was so good, and then, the next, I was a little surprised how it was less. I'm hoping for a good batch every time. It's just not consistant.