Wild turkey Russells reserve rye vs WT rye 101

[weller_tex]

Rittenhouse 100 is hard to find at times in the Houston area as well. Not very common. I like it OK, but it's style does not suit me as well as other ryes.

[StraightBoston]

According to an interview with Jimmy Russell a few years back the Turkey Rye 101 is aged 4 years. Curious that it was 4 yrs even back when the stated age on the Bourbon 101 was 8 yrs.

Jimmy and Eddie talked about this at a tasting at Julio's in MA last night. They both felt that rye peaks earlier than bourbon -- hence 6yo RR rye vs. 10yo RR bourbon.

The new WT81 rye will have older juice than 4 years.

[boneuphtoner]

This week, I tried both of these for the first time. I like both of them alot! But, for my palate, Ritt BIB and Baby Saz are slightly more interesting pours. The RR was a great sipper for sure...one of the easiest sipping ryes I've ever tried, but I think I could be bored with it. The WT 101 rye was a bit more brash and rough around the edges compared to the RR, but I still liked it. I agree with others that a RR BIB proof would be nice to try.

[StraightBoston]

This week, I tried both of these for the first time. I like both of them alot! But, for my palate, Ritt BIB and Baby Saz are slightly more interesting pours. The RR was a great sipper for sure...one of the easiest sipping ryes I've ever tried, but I think I could be bored with it. The WT 101 rye was a bit more brash and rough around the edges compared to the RR, but I still liked it. I agree with others that a RR BIB proof would be nice to try.

Noticing your location: when talking about the WT rye, Jimmy kept saying that in his day nobody would drink a rye from Kentucky -- rye had to come from Pennsylvania or Maryland (as it stands, they get their grain from Germany!)

[gblick]

Jimmy and Eddie talked about this at a tasting at Julio's in MA last night. They both felt that rye peaks earlier than bourbon -- hence 6yo RR rye vs. 10yo RR bourbon.

So I guess they also think that the RR bourbon tastes better at 90 proof than 101.

[Shell]

Noticing your location: when talking about the WT rye, Jimmy kept saying that in his day nobody would drink a rye from Kentucky -- rye had to come from Pennsylvania or Maryland (as it stands, they get their grain from Germany!)

Do I understand that you're saying that Jimmy Russell and Wild Turkey sources its rye grain from Germany? Why wouldn't they use domestic grain - and is this common with other domestic whiskey distillers?

[weller_tex]

So I guess they also think that the RR bourbon tastes better at 90 proof than 101.

I understand the sarcasm here and would certainly prefer to see RR at 101 proof, but I believe they are correct about rye. That Willett 4 year rye is mighty good stuff.

[White Dog]

Jimmy and Eddie talked about this at a tasting at Julio's in MA last night. They both felt that rye peaks earlier than bourbon -- hence 6yo RR rye vs. 10yo RR bourbon.

The new WT81 rye will have older juice than 4 years.

It may peak earlier at a younger age, but when it comes to the ultra-age category, I can't get enough years on Rye.

For my general preferences:

Rye-recipe Bourbon: 8 to 12 years.

Wheaters: 10 to 20 years.

Rye: 18 to who knows how long. I have a Hirsch 25yr that's amazing!

[Brisko]

It may peak earlier at a younger age, but when it comes to the ultra-age category, I can't get enough years on Rye.

For my general preferences:

Rye-recipe Bourbon: 8 to 12 years.

Wheaters: 10 to 20 years.

Rye: 18 to who knows how long. I have a Hirsch 25yr that's amazing!

I think something that really differentiates rye from most bourbons is that it presents itself well even young (under 4 years old) and it wears extra aging very well. Bourbons, by and large, seem to do will in the middle of the age gamut.

[weller_tex]

I think something that really differentiates rye from most bourbons is that it presents itself well even young (under 4 years old) and it wears extra aging very well. Bourbons, by and large, seem to do will in the middle of the age gamut.

Exactly! Well said!