That was the best. Salty af Sean with Dan patiently humoring him is something I didn't know I would enjoy quite so much. Excited for the blind where Sean picks the sazerac ET and then stabs or breaks something.
Because Sean liked early times so much in previous videos and Dan picked it favorably in blinds, I tried it. Fell in love with it and when I heard that early times was being sold, bought a case of it. Just to let you know how much I like it as I’ve never bought more than one bottle of anything in my life at the same time. Thank you both for your videos, keep up the good work.
I blinded the old and new Early Times like a month ago, and I couldn’t really tell the difference. Like, blind, double blind, even not blind, they seemed to be basically identical. I am positive it’s still Brown Foreman stock, because of the BiB it will take years to get Bonded stocks. I genuinely think Sean just wants it to be worse. I think Dan is being more level. I polished through both of those bottles over the last month and I never once felt like there was anything noticeable.
I haven't tried the new bottle, but I just don't see how it could be THAT different already given all of the Bottled-in-Bond requirements (4 years old, one distiller, one distillation season, etc.). At the most I could see the blending being slightly different, but I mean the sale literally just happened last year.
It’s not. I couldn’t pick it out if a blind no matter how many times I tried. I A/B’d a fresh bottle of each when they came out in my area in December. I have since finished both bottles and for me I couldn’t tell them apart the whole time.
The moment Sazerac signed the deal to buy the name from Brown Foreman there was a faint "Release The Kraken!" heard around the world. Sazerac just didn't know Sean was the Kraken.
Love the content. Early times has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. Brown forman and the early times location is only minutes away from home. Keep it up guys. My first and last bourbon channel!!!!
I'm drinking my first glass of the new bottle and I agree with Sean, it's definitely not as good, and VOB blows it away. I'm actually disappointed that I didn't see this video before I bought a bottle. I would have skipped it. It's not bad, but something's off about it. I get a back-of-the-tongue sharp bitterness that just lingers forever. Update: After letting it sit for a few weeks, I was shocked that it actually got worse, not better. Tastes like burnt cork on the mid-palette. This HAS to be Sazerac juice. I'm agreeing with the folks here that mentioned this may not be the BF stock juice. I believe the ET transaction was actually finalized a few years ago, well before it was made public, and that Saz started barreling their own juice at that time while BF finished off their stock. It's total fail and I may not even finish the bottle I have. Will never purchase again. Sad days.
I can’t wait for the blind between them and Sean being so wrong! Sean, was this the day that Dan ate all the Little Caesar’s without you? Is why you are grumpy??? Dan, thank you for not being salty.
I haven’t had the old bottle because they don’t sell ET BiB in my state, but I was able to grab a Saz bottle when I was traveling recently. With no comparison to the old stuff - I really, really like the new bottle. It’s easily the best under $30 I’ve had. From an objective party, I think it’s still one of the best values in bourbon
I had never tried this bottle ,then Sazerac purchased it and it disappeared locally. It finally reappeared a few months ago and I was able to try it. I would buy it again.
New owner, new glass, new cap ... same juice. Over on the SLB site they revealed that since Sazarac has not had enough time to meet the 4 year aging criteria, tankers from Brown-Foreman are delivering the bourbon for Sazarac to bottle.
At 5:20 when the editing zooms to Sean's face while Dan's calling him cheap and unmotivated. - classic. Haven't tried the new ET, but love the old one! Had to travel to Tennessee to get a bottle in Nashville. Never seen it in CT
The day i heard about the sale i went and bought 10 bottles just to have stock for a while just in case. Haven't tried the new bottle so im looking forward to the comparison video.
I have a Saz bottle, just like this one and I'll say that it is a little different, but that could be due to a difference in blending versus a change in the recipe/inclusion of neutral grain spirits. I've had mine open for well over a month and it has mellowed some. Give it some time and try it again.
Good news...we still have Cooper's Craft bottled in bond. Which, to me, can replace this as my favorite budget find. But if these are as different as Sean believes in this video, I'll also be very disappointed.
Speaking of changes. I noticed a large drop in prices in Buffalo Trace and Makers Marker, where I'm at. BT down to 22 from 28, and MM down to 24 from I think 30ish. Bought the MM but something about it tastes different, dont drink it regularly though so I could just be biased and automatically assuming they changed it because of the drop. Wonder if anyone else has seen the same price drops in other parts of the country.
Got about half of an old-style bottle left, and just bought a replacement last week (new style bottle).Now I'm afraid to open my new bottle. Will have to see if I find the same experience in the new bottle. Time to find some leftover old-style bottles to bunker.
Yeah same juice until they get stuff aged from Barton. This is brown Forman stock - the DSP’s are listed on the back since it’s distilled by one brand and bottled by another
@@BourbonJunkies the codes on the back of the bottle indicate this was distilled at Early Times distillery and bottled at Bartons. If its Barton stock im not sure why that would be. And considering the fact that this sale happened a year ago im imagining they still have 2-3 years worth of Brown Foreman stock
@@BourbonJunkies they do make several, but the ET BiB will keep the same mashbill and yeast strain once they start distilling it at Barton. Right now it’s all still BF aged stock
Did you notice a difference in old bottle versus new bottle Wild Turkey 101? New tasted different to me but may have been all subconsciously suggested. Didn't have old on hand to compare.
I'm in Metro Detroit and I would never, ever see a bottle anywhere, even in Toledo. Just this weekend saw a bunch on the shelf at a random store for $30 so I grabbed one. Makes sense that when I finally find one, it's not the version I had been looking for all year lol. Super cool.
the brown forman is good.....i have an unopened liter. hope the new one is in the ballpark - i'd grade on a curve considering the price point. thumbs up.
I hope the new bottle is at least close. It has not been available here in Oregon at my locals for a bit. We should be seeing it soon, weather and staffing has slowed delivery to stores.
Absent mindedly grabed what I thought was the Saz bottle last Friday and was pleasantly surprised to find it was and old Brown-Forman when I got home. Did some a-b tasting and I like the old bottle better. Just hope there are still a few on the shelf when I pass by that store again tomorrow.
ETBIB is "M code" allocated here in Idaho. It's fairly hard to find, and it's one bottle per customer per day. If I see a bottle, I grab a bottle. Still one of the BEST deals for good cheap bourbon. 10 out of 10, will buy again.
I'd be curious to know if after a few weeks those tannic/astringent notes mellow out. I feel like the things Sean was complaining about tend to fade after the bottle is open. I'm speaking of whiskey in general, not this bottle. I've never had any Early Times BiB.
You should do a triple blind between both Early Times and 1792 Small Batch, maybe even throw WT 101 in there, to really settle the prejudices of the best sub $30 bottle.
I did head to head old one and saz one and it was exactly the same juice. I read somewhere that Saz bought the name and the stock. And that the stock should last about 3 years
Sadly I only every had one bottle of BF version (ET BiB not sold in NC) & just cracked a new Saz version I picked up in SC. Seems that the new one is not as pleasant of a experience to me.
There seems to be a lot of early times here in Texas. I did even see on local store had it behind the counter like an allocated bottle at least not marked up
Would the distillery code on the back (DSP KY 354 or 414 on my older bottle) indicate Brown Forman stock or Sazerac new distillate? That would have to match the actually distillery that made it, right?
Yes, to clarify I'm asking what's on your new bottle? Is there a Sazerac distillery code? Dan hypothesized early in the video that your new bottle is still BF distillate. The distillery code should settle that, assuming they are still printing it on the back of the label. If not, yeah it's a mystery.
Thanks for that video. I love the ET BIB. I have a few bottles that appear to be the old stuff. Could you send a pic of the back label so I can identify the new stuff? Thanks in advance. You guys Rock!!
This makes me sad, just had my aunt and uncle pick this up for me in December in Kansas where they live as it's readily available and not here Nebraska. Was so excited after all the reviews and hype and now I'm sad it might be a bit disappointing.
How does this distillate work? "To be labeled as bottled-in-bond, liquor must be the product of one distillation season (January-June or July-December) by ONE distiller at ONE distillery." SO is this non-distiller producer/sourced now?
You guys should do a review of rare breed. I see you guys have done blinds and things, but I couldn’t find just the review. Keep it up, cheers junkies!!
Yeah… same juice until they get stuff aged from Barton. This is brown Forman stock - the DSP’s are listed on the back since it’s distilled by one brand and bottled by another
I feel like it's the same. However I also can't buy it, literally at all in WV. Bought it in South Carolina once and Georgia the next time over a year apart. And it's $25.99 those places. But for $25 it's about as good as you can buy except for WT101.
So Brown Forman has the plastic cap? I could have bought more than 2 bottles but wound up in the hospital with the Wuhan for all of October. This was amazing in Ohio as I could never find it and the store had at least 4 cases stacked up at
I’ve been putting it in blinds lately and have been so mad that I thought it had craft notes. I’m with Sean on this one
will be great to see the dynamic duo try both versions, side-by-side, and blind. Great content guys, keep it coming
Couldn't agree more. So much anger in this video
Ditto on that!
That was the best. Salty af Sean with Dan patiently humoring him is something I didn't know I would enjoy quite so much.
Excited for the blind where Sean picks the sazerac ET and then stabs or breaks something.
Because Sean liked early times so much in previous videos and Dan picked it favorably in blinds, I tried it. Fell in love with it and when I heard that early times was being sold, bought a case of it. Just to let you know how much I like it as I’ve never bought more than one bottle of anything in my life at the same time. Thank you both for your videos, keep up the good work.
I bought four bottles to save... and drank 'em all forthwith.
I bought three more.
The Saz versions have been uneven. One bad bottle. One good bottle.
I blinded the old and new Early Times like a month ago, and I couldn’t really tell the difference. Like, blind, double blind, even not blind, they seemed to be basically identical. I am positive it’s still Brown Foreman stock, because of the BiB it will take years to get Bonded stocks. I genuinely think Sean just wants it to be worse. I think Dan is being more level. I polished through both of those bottles over the last month and I never once felt like there was anything noticeable.
I mean where would Sazerac just get a giant pile of BIB stocks? I'd guess the ole 1792 bib stocks they've been making for years
1792 is a different mash bill.
1792 bib is an undisclosed mash bill
Damn it! Now I have to do a blind tonight!
@@jasonrussell1160 I can think of worse ways to spend a Tuesday night.
Angry Sean is the best Sean.
I haven't tried the new bottle, but I just don't see how it could be THAT different already given all of the Bottled-in-Bond requirements (4 years old, one distiller, one distillation season, etc.). At the most I could see the blending being slightly different, but I mean the sale literally just happened last year.
It’s not. I couldn’t pick it out if a blind no matter how many times I tried. I A/B’d a fresh bottle of each when they came out in my area in December. I have since finished both bottles and for me I couldn’t tell them apart the whole time.
It’s because they are not different. They are the same. You won’t see a new product until 2024-2025
We need this blind:
1792 BiB (Barton/Saz)
OFo 100 (Brown Foreman)
ET BiB (Brown-Foreman)
ET BiB (Sazerac)
I bought some a couple days ago, because of your love for it. Tried it, and REALLY like it. Now I want to try to find some of the old-stock....
The moment Sazerac signed the deal to buy the name from Brown Foreman there was a faint "Release The Kraken!" heard around the world. Sazerac just didn't know Sean was the Kraken.
I 100% believe neck pours can be harsh. Try it again in 2 days (and swirl like crazy)
Love the content. Early times has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. Brown forman and the early times location is only minutes away from home. Keep it up guys. My first and last bourbon channel!!!!
I'm drinking my first glass of the new bottle and I agree with Sean, it's definitely not as good, and VOB blows it away. I'm actually disappointed that I didn't see this video before I bought a bottle. I would have skipped it. It's not bad, but something's off about it. I get a back-of-the-tongue sharp bitterness that just lingers forever.
Update: After letting it sit for a few weeks, I was shocked that it actually got worse, not better. Tastes like burnt cork on the mid-palette. This HAS to be Sazerac juice. I'm agreeing with the folks here that mentioned this may not be the BF stock juice. I believe the ET transaction was actually finalized a few years ago, well before it was made public, and that Saz started barreling their own juice at that time while BF finished off their stock. It's total fail and I may not even finish the bottle I have. Will never purchase again. Sad days.
Would love to see a side-by-side blind of the new Early Times BiB and the Cooper's Craft 100.
That’s a great call!
I can’t wait for the blind between them and Sean being so wrong! Sean, was this the day that Dan ate all the Little Caesar’s without you? Is why you are grumpy??? Dan, thank you for not being salty.
Okay. I've got to see this. Going immediately to the OLD vs NEW Early Times BiB video.
I haven’t had the old bottle because they don’t sell ET BiB in my state, but I was able to grab a Saz bottle when I was traveling recently. With no comparison to the old stuff - I really, really like the new bottle. It’s easily the best under $30 I’ve had. From an objective party, I think it’s still one of the best values in bourbon
I had never tried this bottle ,then Sazerac purchased it and it disappeared locally. It finally reappeared a few months ago and I was able to try it. I would buy it again.
Just found this in NC for the first time. Never got to try the original, but I think it’s pretty dang good especially at a liter!
I have never seen Sean so salty! I kind of like it! Usually he's there trying to reel Dan in, but Herr clearly Dan can't stop him! Great review boys!
New owner, new glass, new cap ... same juice. Over on the SLB site they revealed that since Sazarac has not had enough time to meet the 4 year aging criteria, tankers from Brown-Foreman are delivering the bourbon for Sazarac to bottle.
They definitely are. The people blending it and the age of barrels used could be very different.
“Shambles!” Love your guys stuff!
At 5:20 when the editing zooms to Sean's face while Dan's calling him cheap and unmotivated. - classic.
Haven't tried the new ET, but love the old one! Had to travel to Tennessee to get a bottle in Nashville. Never seen it in CT
Well, naturally you had to go to Tennessee to pick one up in Nashville. 😁
The day i heard about the sale i went and bought 10 bottles just to have stock for a while just in case. Haven't tried the new bottle so im looking forward to the comparison video.
I have a Saz bottle, just like this one and I'll say that it is a little different, but that could be due to a difference in blending versus a change in the recipe/inclusion of neutral grain spirits. I've had mine open for well over a month and it has mellowed some. Give it some time and try it again.
Additionally, another good cheap bottle would be Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.
yea my conspiracy is that it's just 1792 BIB rebottled at this point
@@BourbonJunkies Is that a bad thing? Don't you guys like that one?
I mean if I wanted the 1792 bib I'd just buy that. Early times beat it all the time in blinds for us to
@@BourbonJunkies Fair point
Have an old bottle unopened setting on my shelf. With it being BIB, this year's just could be off a little. Can't wait for the head to head. Cheers
Good news...we still have Cooper's Craft bottled in bond. Which, to me, can replace this as my favorite budget find. But if these are as different as Sean believes in this video, I'll also be very disappointed.
That’s $33-35….this is $23-25……that’s one and a half times the price. But I agree, CC BIB is good!
Never seen it in Lansing. They just got a few bottles at Maria's in Canton.
Speaking of changes. I noticed a large drop in prices in Buffalo Trace and Makers Marker, where I'm at. BT down to 22 from 28, and MM down to 24 from I think 30ish. Bought the MM but something about it tastes different, dont drink it regularly though so I could just be biased and automatically assuming they changed it because of the drop. Wonder if anyone else has seen the same price drops in other parts of the country.
Well, this breaks my heart a bit, glad I have an original bottle left, but was so hoping they wouldn't mess with it!
Got about half of an old-style bottle left, and just bought a replacement last week (new style bottle).Now I'm afraid to open my new bottle. Will have to see if I find the same experience in the new bottle. Time to find
some leftover old-style bottles to bunker.
Sean is crazy it is the exact same bourbon. Just as good as before
Yeah same juice until they get stuff aged from Barton. This is brown Forman stock - the DSP’s are listed on the back since it’s distilled by one brand and bottled by another
Barton already makes a BIB product with an undisclosed mash bill, could have the same mash bill as Early Times and then they have stocks already made
@@BourbonJunkies the codes on the back of the bottle indicate this was distilled at Early Times distillery and bottled at Bartons. If its Barton stock im not sure why that would be. And considering the fact that this sale happened a year ago im imagining they still have 2-3 years worth of Brown Foreman stock
@@BourbonJunkies they do make several, but the ET BiB will keep the same mashbill and yeast strain once they start distilling it at Barton. Right now it’s all still BF aged stock
Did you notice a difference in old bottle versus new bottle Wild Turkey 101? New tasted different to me but may have been all subconsciously suggested. Didn't have old on hand to compare.
Just got 2 myself this week. Still one of my favorite sub $30 bib by far.
That cap catch 0:58 👏😄
All that talk at the end of what the best 20 $ bottle is makes me want to try this ET against WT 101 and the new 1783..
Maybe throw old grandad BiB in that taste test as well
I'd add EW BiB and maybe even Ezra Brooks 99 (that might bump it up to $25).
I need this blind tasting video like, in a few minutes guys. Let's go!!!
“What is this nightmare?” 😂 “Shambles” I have a pre purchase bottle, but sadly it’s almost gone….
Glad from your description I got one of the BF bottles!!
The best!
Cheers, fellers! West Coasters don't get the blue label, only yellow label low proof. Anything comparable for us in CA?
I'm in Metro Detroit and I would never, ever see a bottle anywhere, even in Toledo. Just this weekend saw a bunch on the shelf at a random store for $30 so I grabbed one. Makes sense that when I finally find one, it's not the version I had been looking for all year lol. Super cool.
I spoke too soon, the bottle I snagged is the plastic top. guess I did okay after all.
Wow Shawn was a little bent. Just a little. Hope you are well . Keep your glass full 🥃… Blessings from Gettysburg Pa…
Totally impressed with the Sazerac bottle for $23
Just did a head to head with the DSP-KY-414 to the DSP-KY-12 - HUGE difference! Sorry Dan, I agree with Sean on this one....
Dang right
the brown forman is good.....i have an unopened liter. hope the new one is in the ballpark - i'd grade on a curve considering the price point. thumbs up.
I hope the new bottle is at least close. It has not been available here in Oregon at my locals for a bit. We should be seeing it soon, weather and staffing has slowed delivery to stores.
I know you guys covered the cap and bottle shape differences. Is it labeled differently on the back?
It is. Older bottles will list both DSP-KY-354 & 414. The newer ones will list 354 & 12.
Are you guys certain that the older bottle doesn't have both DSP KY12 and 354 markings on the back?
Absent mindedly grabed what I thought was the Saz bottle last Friday and was pleasantly surprised to find it was and old Brown-Forman when I got home. Did some a-b tasting and I like the old bottle better. Just hope there are still a few on the shelf when I pass by that store again tomorrow.
“I’m not looking forward to this “. Love the honesty.
It’s funny watching this video now after watching a blind vid a few days ago and ET BIB won the blind with both you guys.
Angry Sean is indeed the Best Sean. that review had some character
So glad the bottle I just picked up is the old one! Might have to go back to the store and buy them out
ETBIB is "M code" allocated here in Idaho. It's fairly hard to find, and it's one bottle per customer per day. If I see a bottle, I grab a bottle. Still one of the BEST deals for good cheap bourbon.
10 out of 10, will buy again.
STILL haven't been able to get a bottle, been looking since you mentioned ages ago! it's not distributed in california... i really want to try it
This is awesome, Please do Old Forester Rye if you happen to have an old bottle, newer bottle and single barrel.
I'd be curious to know if after a few weeks those tannic/astringent notes mellow out. I feel like the things Sean was complaining about tend to fade after the bottle is open. I'm speaking of whiskey in general, not this bottle. I've never had any Early Times BiB.
Thank goodness for Old Forester 86 ! $17.90 at my local Smart and Final.
More heavily oaked but not over-oaked in my opinion. Just cracked a fresh bottle and it's pretty tasty. For the price it's a 7.5/10.
Can’t wait for Sean to pick the new one in a blind. 🤣🤣🤣
Exactly what I was thinking 🤣
Won't ever happen
@@BourbonJunkies 🤣🤣🤣
My local BP gas station always has this. It’s a liter bottle as well. Thumbs up from me. This and Old Tub are favorite cheap bottles.
You should do a triple blind between both Early Times and 1792 Small Batch, maybe even throw WT 101 in there, to really settle the prejudices of the best sub $30 bottle.
and ogd114
Pretty solid liter for the price. I thought it was fairly sweet and smooth. Solid bottle for $25 in my area.
I did head to head old one and saz one and it was exactly the same juice. I read somewhere that Saz bought the name and the stock. And that the stock should last about 3 years
Never been available in Nebraska. Supposedly it's distributed here, but never seen one on a shelf.
Couldn't find the old one, hope this one is different. Love u guys thanks for all the videos
Glad I decided to go back for a 2nd bottle. Loved this one.
I’m with you Sean , scooped up the old bottle today I’ll open it in solidarity for the live stream this week and cry
So we're all switching to CC 100 then?
When did they start putting out the new bottles?
I couldn't tell a difference but Early Times has (or had?)it's own distillery, not another BF distillery. Hopefully it stays the same.
Just checked my backup closet, I got 4 of the old ones! Finally got ahead of the chase. Will never happen again, no doubt.
I did the same and I also have 4 BF versions. I'm so happy.
Black plastic cap (old) is better (less ethanol heat/spice) than the metal screw cap (new) in my side by side.
I’ll be happy when this is back on the shelves in my area. Still have 1 BF bottle I haven’t cracked open. Interested in comparing the two. Cheers 🥃
It was never near me here in the PA, DE, NJ area
One of many that never show up in our area
@@tomburns7108 yeah but when we get Blanton’s, EH Taylor, etc. we pay MSRP in PA at least
Sadly I only every had one bottle of BF version (ET BiB not sold in NC) & just cracked a new Saz version I picked up in SC. Seems that the new one is not as pleasant of a experience to me.
I bought quite a few of the old label in NC last year. On my last one right now unfortunately
@@christopherscuron2523 never saw BiB...Greensboro only carried the 80 proof
There seems to be a lot of early times here in Texas. I did even see on local store had it behind the counter like an allocated bottle at least not marked up
Would the distillery code on the back (DSP KY 354 or 414 on my older bottle) indicate Brown Forman stock or Sazerac new distillate? That would have to match the actually distillery that made it, right?
414 is the old bottles
Yes, to clarify I'm asking what's on your new bottle? Is there a Sazerac distillery code? Dan hypothesized early in the video that your new bottle is still BF distillate. The distillery code should settle that, assuming they are still printing it on the back of the label. If not, yeah it's a mystery.
Can’t wait for the blind.
Thanks for that video. I love the ET BIB. I have a few bottles that appear to be the old stuff. Could you send a pic of the back label so I can identify the new stuff? Thanks in advance. You guys Rock!!
New stuff has a blue metal cap, makes it easy
Lucked out and found a case of the old brown foreman....$21.84 each!
This makes me sad, just had my aunt and uncle pick this up for me in December in Kansas where they live as it's readily available and not here Nebraska. Was so excited after all the reviews and hype and now I'm sad it might be a bit disappointing.
How does this distillate work?
"To be labeled as bottled-in-bond, liquor must be the product of one distillation season (January-June or July-December) by ONE distiller at ONE distillery."
SO is this non-distiller producer/sourced now?
Can you guys do a blind Bottled in Bond ? Include OF 1897 and Early Times.
100% agree something is different now
Do you think the black top will go up in value in a year or so 🤔
Probably not in that time, more like 3-5 years
You guys should do a review of rare breed. I see you guys have done blinds and things, but I couldn’t find just the review. Keep it up, cheers junkies!!
Yeah… same juice until they get stuff aged from Barton. This is brown Forman stock - the DSP’s are listed on the back since it’s distilled by one brand and bottled by another
well whoever is blending it isn't as good now
Impressive they kept it at 1L; was expecting Sazerac would release it as a 750.
same
I feel like it's the same. However I also can't buy it, literally at all in WV. Bought it in South Carolina once and Georgia the next time over a year apart. And it's $25.99 those places. But for $25 it's about as good as you can buy except for WT101.
So Brown Forman has the plastic cap? I could have bought more than 2 bottles but wound up in the hospital with the Wuhan for all of October.
This was amazing in Ohio as I could never find it and the store had at least 4 cases stacked up at
Going to scoop up the remaining black plastic top ET BiB I can find in NE TN!!!!
At least you still have the cheap Old Foresters.
Hang in there Sean!
Oh, come on, man. We finally had an easily accessible, cheap, tasty whiskey.
Well it impossible for saz to have made a BIB because they only bought them out less than 2 years ago.
Going to see if I can find some old ones today
this is better than a LOT of higher priced bourbons, imo. never tasted neutral grain spirit in it lol
The neutral grain spirit is in the brown label
@@BourbonJunkies oh i see, missed that part
Such a bummer! I was a huge fan of the old one.
I'm also massively cheap!
Best duo!!
Really hope Dan is right. Gonna do the challenge when I can get the new, I have an old ET 🥃
Just tried this last week. Not a bad bottle at all. I paid $25 in NY.
A side by side blind may not remove the bias. Looking forward to them both being in a blind with some other highly liked BiB options.