These videos are soooo much better than straight reviews! For future duels - you should keep it blind all the way through. Don't reveal after each set. And for single barrels, choose only shelfer bottles, not special picks.
@@brandon_sprague Gotcha. Just saying that *if* the distillery has a shelf SiB product, like the McKenna, then the shelf SiB product on the other side should be the comparison.
@@netnothing yeah it will depend on what they have on hand at the castle, I think honestly all the Russel’s sib at the castle are picks, so I just grabbed one at random. Same thing happens with batch’s like the BP round, I just grabbed a random ECBP batch could have been a good or bad one it doesn’t matter.
yup, don't let them know anything....they don't know if they are drinking the flagship or the LE and then don't even let them know what distillery the 2 options even are....keep all of it until after you are done.
When I tried my bottle of RR15 I realized I no longer needed to chase any other bottles of whiskey because the 15 Year is the best bottle I've ever tasted.
Should reveal the bottles to the guys at the end. A true distillery blind. Knowing 101 vs EC from the start you a) know the distilleries and b) can prob figure out the remaining bottles fairly easily.
The problem becomes they already know the distillery for the most part off the initial pour being the distillery’s most popular. So it would all be for the theatrics lol
@@brandon_sprague Fair point. Could save that one for last then. There's always options! I just think if it's going to be a 'blind' head to head, then make it truly blind
Great breakdown, guys! 🥃 It’s like choosing between a party and a chill night-both Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill have their own unique vibes! If Shrinktender were mixing it up, he’d probably throw a splash of sass into whichever one wins. Cheers to great bourbon and even better debates!
I've been drinking 101 steadily for 10 years and there is extreme variation batch to batch. Used to be that the handles and 750ml bottles were vastly inferior to the 1L bottles, for reasons unknown, along with considerable laser code variation. That changed around 2 years ago; now the bottle size doesn't matter but laser codes most definitely do. My current handle with laser code LL/ME bottled on 05/24 is absolutely fantastic stuff, but there are some less savory batches I've had fairly recently.
I love both. Buffalo Trace gets all the hype, and it is an excellent distillery. But these two are also excellent across the board, and I love how certain releases are special but still accessible with a little hunting (eg Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, etc.).
There's something oddly satisfying in watching the first comparison as a person who, despite earnestly trying many times, would literally rather drink nothing than WT101.
Damn, I almost thought you guys were gonna have to shut down the channel😂😂😂. I’d say it be OK to change the bottles up in the next distillery battle. Great video as always.
It devastates me to hear that Pikesville fell off in quality. I remember drinking that during the pandemic and thought it was excellent. Probably a recipe change ruined it for good. Definitely would like to try the Russell’s rye at some point though
SLB did a series on 101 and wasn't impressed, and then this from you guys makes me wonder if something fundamental changed or if this reps a bad batch lately
Wonder if that WT101 was from the same batch I tried a bit ago. It was my first WT product an it'll probably be my last because my god, there was something vile about the taste it left in the back of my throat. Heaven Hill on the other hand, Ive basically loved every bottle Ive bought.
It would have been good to see you do random between left and right for the distillery instead of always having 1 distillery always being left after the 101. It could have biased the scoring.
It’s interesting to know the notes and tastes you get from different bottles, but it would be more unique if you never know if left is HH or WT. It should always be flipping, so you really don’t know what it is. Anyway, how would you compare a Five Brothers or a Heaven Hill Select Stock with Russels?
I dig this format. Single barrel was unfair. A great russles pick is gonna slap most ECPB let alone McKenna. Should have used a KY spirit instead. Closer in proof too.
I find Wild Turkey products to be a little more consistently good, but damn when Heaven Hill has a hitter, it's a hitter. I think you all know what I am talking about. I will just take them both.
Its funny the bottles that come out duds in blinds. Iirc WT 101, Rare Breed and PH heavy char all performed poorly in the distillery blinds. But I would never scoff at any of them if someone offered me a pour.
I felt completely validated watching your reactions to Wild Turkey 101. Whiskeytuber’s all love it and I gave my bottle away. I thought I was the messed up one.
Brandon, I'm piling on... Don't reveal the bottles till the end, and mix them up a little. They also shouldn't know which distilleries they're comparing!
I started my Bourbon journey with Wild Turkey 101, I will NEVER buy it again. Truly horrible for me!!! Old Forester 100 is soooo much better to me for about the same price!
"...a donut came inside my mouth." "If Jesus was around to drink that...he would've never made water into wine. Ever." --Dan, 2024 😂🤣 Unfortunately, I'm never gonna see Russell's Reserve 15 unless Jesus comes back and follows Dan's suggestion.
Sean: "This Whiskey is Nice"
Dan: "I'm a horse"
And a werewolf 😂
These videos are soooo much better than straight reviews! For future duels - you should keep it blind all the way through. Don't reveal after each set. And for single barrels, choose only shelfer bottles, not special picks.
The single barrels are just randomly selected from the ones on the shelf. That being a good bottle was completely pulled at random
@@brandon_sprague Gotcha. Just saying that *if* the distillery has a shelf SiB product, like the McKenna, then the shelf SiB product on the other side should be the comparison.
@@netnothing yeah it will depend on what they have on hand at the castle, I think honestly all the Russel’s sib at the castle are picks, so I just grabbed one at random. Same thing happens with batch’s like the BP round, I just grabbed a random ECBP batch could have been a good or bad one it doesn’t matter.
@@brandon_sprague Thanks for setting all these up!!
yup, don't let them know anything....they don't know if they are drinking the flagship or the LE and then don't even let them know what distillery the 2 options even are....keep all of it until after you are done.
Pikesville is usually a good pour
When I tried my bottle of RR15 I realized I no longer needed to chase any other bottles of whiskey because the 15 Year is the best bottle I've ever tasted.
You need more 15’s to hunt
We need more of these battles
Should reveal the bottles to the guys at the end. A true distillery blind. Knowing 101 vs EC from the start you a) know the distilleries and b) can prob figure out the remaining bottles fairly easily.
Agreed that’s a way better format.
Fun video, next time, please don't reveal all the bottles until the very end so that you aren't biased by knowing which distilleries are head to head!
Yeah, came here to say the same. Once you know what you're drinking, all the biases show up and you can start guessing what you're drinking.
Show it on bottom of the screen at edit
The problem becomes they already know the distillery for the most part off the initial pour being the distillery’s most popular. So it would all be for the theatrics lol
And it adds dead time at the end of the video because the viewer already knows the bottle so there’s no reason to keep following along
@@brandon_sprague Fair point. Could save that one for last then. There's always options! I just think if it's going to be a 'blind' head to head, then make it truly blind
A pick of RR sb vs Henry McKenna was just not a fair fight
Agreed. Why not use a Kentucky Spirit?
Great breakdown, guys! 🥃 It’s like choosing between a party and a chill night-both Wild Turkey and Heaven Hill have their own unique vibes! If Shrinktender were mixing it up, he’d probably throw a splash of sass into whichever one wins. Cheers to great bourbon and even better debates!
I love WT101, Rare Breed and Russell's 10, Wild Turkey brand for me.
Crazy that their WT101 was no good. Haven't ever experienced that.
Between WT or HH, my vote is yes please. You win with either distillery.
Pikesville v Russells SIB rye is the best matchup and perfect for showing 2 different rye profiles.
Nice day with a Bourbon Junkies video.
Nice review. Wondering why my shelf bottle changed from JJB to EC mid way through the video....
I've been drinking 101 steadily for 10 years and there is extreme variation batch to batch. Used to be that the handles and 750ml bottles were vastly inferior to the 1L bottles, for reasons unknown, along with considerable laser code variation. That changed around 2 years ago; now the bottle size doesn't matter but laser codes most definitely do. My current handle with laser code LL/ME bottled on 05/24 is absolutely fantastic stuff, but there are some less savory batches I've had fairly recently.
Henry McKenna SB has always been a banger so far....Love that stuff
I love both. Buffalo Trace gets all the hype, and it is an excellent distillery. But these two are also excellent across the board, and I love how certain releases are special but still accessible with a little hunting (eg Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, etc.).
Did you fellas have a warm up whiskey? Unbelievable first scores.
Did any body else think of Pam from Archer when she says 'sploosh'?
Just so happens to be my two favorites! Thanks guys appreciate you!
11:54 🤣🤣 when it hits, it hits hard
Damn - I want a RR15
“Are you gonna explain m&m’s to us right now?” 😂
(Still has Sharpie notes from any high proof heaven hill thanks Sean)
There's something oddly satisfying in watching the first comparison as a person who, despite earnestly trying many times, would literally rather drink nothing than WT101.
Dan's reactions to RR15 were gold! 😂
He said 😂😂😂 if Jesus was around to taste this he'd of never chose wine 😂😂
curious what your favorite ecbp was for the year?
Nice battle! I scored a Russell’s Reserve 15yr yesterday at BevMo for 3 bills! Cheers!
I really need to open my RR15. You guys have been making me wanna savor it with how good it is supposedly.
Dude open it what are you waiting for.
@gmaster45612374 was waiting for something good. Like the Lions to win the super bowl or somethin.
Damn, I almost thought you guys were gonna have to shut down the channel😂😂😂. I’d say it be OK to change the bottles up in the next distillery battle. Great video as always.
It devastates me to hear that Pikesville fell off in quality. I remember drinking that during the pandemic and thought it was excellent. Probably a recipe change ruined it for good. Definitely would like to try the Russell’s rye at some point though
Going to Rishis tomorrow. Hopefully they have some Evernorth left.
SLB did a series on 101 and wasn't impressed, and then this from you guys makes me wonder if something fundamental changed or if this reps a bad batch lately
Wonder if that WT101 was from the same batch I tried a bit ago. It was my first WT product an it'll probably be my last because my god, there was something vile about the taste it left in the back of my throat.
Heaven Hill on the other hand, Ive basically loved every bottle Ive bought.
"Are you gonna explain M&Ms to us right now?"
😂😂😂
Nicely done! Damn do I wish I could find AND afford a RR15!!
It's Pour guesses season !
Never had the top tiers of either , but I do prefer WT over HH.
Four Roses vs Old Forester???
I learned so many things about Jesus I didn’t know in this video! Thanks guys!
Every time doughnuts are mentioned, take a shot😅
Great video, but most bottles are outside most common people's budgets.
It would have been good to see you do random between left and right for the distillery instead of always having 1 distillery always being left after the 101. It could have biased the scoring.
Sean’s “you’re on f*cking drugs” had me dying 😂
I want a 15 yr so bad That RR store pick was a banger bottle for me I do enjoy WT products more over HH
Nothing like a good ole DD video! Although nothing like I expected…😅
Are you guys planning to do this as a round robin or bracket?
Pikesville is so good.
"this is like a donut came in my mouth" Thanks Dan, not sure I'm going to keep looking for a RR15 now...
"pretty sure he made it with magic" 😂😂😂
Heaven Hill every day for me compared to Turkey.
Same. Turkey is too "hot" for my palette.
Switch up bottles to get more products in for average instead of the R15 kicking ass
I’ll watch this. But it’s Turkey baby! 🍻
It’s interesting to know the notes and tastes you get from different bottles, but it would be more unique if you never know if left is HH or WT. It should always be flipping, so you really don’t know what it is. Anyway, how would you compare a Five Brothers or a Heaven Hill Select Stock with Russels?
"Wow, you are on F'n drugs" was the perfect response. Sean, you also could've said it after Dan imagined a donut making magic in his mouth.
Cool video!
How would the Parkers Double Barrel have done against RR15?
Russels reserve 15... cant even find it. Apparently a limited run. Lucky you.
Russell’s 15 is outstanding.
I think im the only one on earth whos had a poor of RR15 and was like... "Ehh its ok"
A lot of Ryes smell musty to me. But they all seem to be the best flavors. Idk why
Evan Williams should’ve been the flagship for heaven hill. Seems more fair to put up against wild turkey
It's like two videos happening at the same time
You know the distillery and you know the category - not too hard to guess the bottle. Not much of a "blind," but a fun video nonetheless.
WT101 v. EC SMB had to of been flipped. Dan explained the way EC SMB would have tasted.
I dig this format. Single barrel was unfair. A great russles pick is gonna slap most ECPB let alone McKenna. Should have used a KY spirit instead. Closer in proof too.
Whats going on with the 101? Its had poor reviews lately in your video's. Time to toss the bottle and get a freshy 😂
"LE stands for 'Limited'" lol
All future opinions by the both of you are completely disregarded for what you did to pikesville
I find Wild Turkey products to be a little more consistently good, but damn when Heaven Hill has a hitter, it's a hitter. I think you all know what I am talking about. I will just take them both.
Should have put Henry McKenna against Kentucky Spirit
The donut comment was unhinged and wonderful 😂
Let’s go 🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃
Its funny the bottles that come out duds in blinds. Iirc WT 101, Rare Breed and PH heavy char all performed poorly in the distillery blinds. But I would never scoff at any of them if someone offered me a pour.
I felt completely validated watching your reactions to Wild Turkey 101. Whiskeytuber’s all love it and I gave my bottle away. I thought I was the messed up one.
Brandon, I'm piling on... Don't reveal the bottles till the end, and mix them up a little. They also shouldn't know which distilleries they're comparing!
I think HH would have won if the bottle weren't revealed. Knowing which side was which definitely skewed the results in favor of WT.
Match ups could have been better......101 va 94 proof......rrsp 12yr 110 proof vs mk 100 proof...
I think y’all should exclude store picks from these, comparing a Russel’s pick to mckenna is wild lol
Should have done like heaven hill 17 or 18 to go against the juggernaut of the Russel’s 15 haha
Same bottles!
Like a donut came inside of my mouth Hahahaha
I think using the same bottle would be alright
Who the hell would admit to owning a “GoodTimes” glen? 😂
Why not do an Elijah Craig pick if you're gonna do a Russel's pick
HH17 gives RR15 a run for its money
3 seconds into this video, I already know that WT will win. But I'm gonna watch anyway. Maybe something will surprise me.
Well, I was correct.
I would like to sign up for your classes on religion.
What's wild is Dan was almost a preacher.
Who can find Russell's 15? Not in Minnesota.
rr 15 Jesus approved!!
I've been doubting myself the last couple years, thinking that WT101 has changed. Not that it's bad, just a little different.
I think you should use the same bottles at the next level
Old fitzgerald would have held up pretty well in this blind
BLIND all the way
I started my Bourbon journey with Wild Turkey 101, I will NEVER buy it again. Truly horrible for me!!! Old Forester 100 is soooo much better to me for about the same price!
Wild Turkey all day long. I'll take WT101 over anything HH has.
Pretty sure it was magic
"...a donut came inside my mouth."
"If Jesus was around to drink that...he would've never made water into wine. Ever."
--Dan, 2024 😂🤣
Unfortunately, I'm never gonna see Russell's Reserve 15 unless Jesus comes back and follows Dan's suggestion.
Who hates wild turkey 101.