Looking for a Rare Breed recommendation

[tommyboy38]

After reading many posts regarding WT, The KS has been mentioned more than a few times regarding it getting younger and maybe less flavorful.

Pewter > Dark Wood > Light Wood

Has the same happened to the Rare Breed (I think I've seen some posts about this too) and what years/batches might I look for.

I assume earlier will be better than later but how far back do I have to go to find some great whiskey as opposed to some good whiskey? I don't have any RB in the bunker yet but I have a few other Turkeys and would like to round out the collection with a RB and maybe a No. 8.

[funknik]

I have a couple '96s that were awesome -- but the current Rare Breed is still very good whiskey IMO.

[OscarV]

Anything bottled in the 1990's is good.

Some better than others,

but after I had a sample of '96 (thanks again Andy!)

I lost my taste for the current bottles (damn you Andy!).

[TBoner]

This post brings up an interesting point. I have had several different 1990s editions of WTRB, most of them very good. The current stuff remains one of my favorite whiskeys, but the earlier bottlings did seem to have a bit more of the older whiskey blended in. Nonetheless, the point I'm wondering aobut is this: is the 03-RB all one batch? Did WT really anticipate demand this effectively and set aside 6 years worth of bourbon in one batch? I find it difficult to believe, though the previous batch was WT-01-99, which would put it at 4 years before the "current batch." It's something I've wondered about as some have said they think WTRB is getting younger. Do you think it's gotten younger with this 03-RB batch, or have some of you detected differences among bottles in the 03-RB batch?

Tim

[jburlowski]

This post brings up an interesting point. I have had several different 1990s editions of WTRB, most of them very good. The current stuff remains one of my favorite whiskeys, but the earlier bottlings did seem to have a bit more of the older whiskey blended in. Nonetheless, the point I'm wondering aobut is this: is the 03-RB all one batch? Did WT really anticipate demand this effectively and set aside 6 years worth of bourbon in one batch? I find it difficult to believe, though the previous batch was WT-01-99, which would put it at 4 years before the "current batch." It's something I've wondered about as some have said they think WTRB is getting younger. Do you think it's gotten younger with this 03-RB batch, or have some of you detected differences among bottles in the 03-RB batch?

Tim

I'm with Tim when he says, "The current stuff remains one of my favorite whiskeys."

[ILLfarmboy]

I've searched but I can't find it. I remember posting about a comparison between the 01-99 and the 03-RB. I recall thinking the 01-99 had deeper leather notes which would correspond to older whiskey being in the batch.

[wskybnt]

The 90's stuff was good, hell it was GREAT. But its hard to say that this 03 stuff isnt too.

Whenever this 03 batch is gone and replaced, there will be a a lot of people looking for it after the new stuff hits the shelf. It will be the next "rr101"

[OscarV]

The 90's stuff was good, hell it was GREAT. But its hard to say that this 03 stuff isnt too.

Whenever this 03 batch is gone and replaced, there will be a a lot of people looking for it after the new stuff hits the shelf. It will be the next "rr101"

Yep, it could be, but lets hope not.

[Rughi]

It seems impossible that there hasn't been a new Rare Breed for 7 years. Recently, I believe I read that the WT-03RB has been superceded by a new version. As I look around I can't find any mention of this, so I'm asking:

Is WT-03RB still the Current Bottling?

Over the years I've squirreled away a few bottles of this, as I think it's a WT product that is at the top of it's game. As the thought is makin' me hankerin', I'm wonderin' if I should open one I already have or go looking for a new one to see if it's necessary to go on an WT-03RB hunt.

Roger

[tommyboy38]

I saw a few '03's today while shopping. Nothing newer anyplace I visited.

[BourbonJoe]

Roger,

The WT-03-RB is still in great supply. There may be a new one as Jimmy Russell told me the "new" release of Rare Breed is Un-Chill filtered. You just may want to grab one when you see it.

Joe :usflag:

[Dramiel McHinson]

Roger,

The WT-03-RB is still in great supply. There may be a new one as Jimmy Russell told me the "new" release of Rare Breed is Un-Chill filtered. You just may want to grab one when you see it.

Joe :usflag:

[ErichPryde]

From my understanding, here's what happened with rare breed: When they hit WT-03RB, they simply quit batch labeling it. not all 03's are the same. In fact, with 03 you can apply the smooth vs symbol top rules- 03RB's with smooth tops were probably the original batch from 2003/4, not so much later rare breed changed over to a symbol-top, much like Kentucky spirit did.

From what people have told me, the 1996 batch of rare breed was one of the best. I have one open currently, and it's definitely good. I also have a 375ml bottle 91-2 open, and now that it has had some time to breathe I seriously wish I had another one. That particular bottle is like Wild Turkey's version of Mariage, of the BTAC- truly intense barrel proof stuff.

At one point I really didn't care for rare breed at all. I had a very dry bottle of 03-RB that I think was bottled in 2007. I ended vatting it into just about anything else possible because I just couldn't drink it. I've had some younger kentucky spirits that were the same way.

If it's the original label without the turkey, buy it. no questions asked. If you don't want to drink it somebody else probably will. When it comes to the label with the turkey on it (1997/8+? I've seen a 98 with a turkey on it but what did the label look like in 07?), you'd have to ask someone else. I don't know how batches 98,99,00,01, and 02 might be.

Brad, how was the batch 99? Tasty, delicious, you'd buy it again if you could find it? Or, not so much?

[woody]

After looking in KY, GA, MI and TN, all I saw was the 03-RB. Heck I even bought one, and its pretty damned good. If the earlier stuff was better then i would snatch it up if I saw it.

[Rughi]

...When they hit WT-03RB, they simply quit batch labeling it. not all 03's are the same...

:smiley_acbt: WHAT THE !!!! :smiley_acbt:

Wild Turkey definitely minimized their sales to me with that move, as I would have made sure to buy one of each, and a stockpile of each really good one. I really enjoyed having a lineup of the different Rare Breeds.

I guess I'll be on the lookout for the one which Bourbon Joe is talking about and shake my fist at all the others!

Roger

[T Comp]

Man my palms are now getting sweaty as I just picked up my 1993 RB (W-T-03-93 stamped with 11/04/93 at 10:33) and I only have about 3 ounces left. Stunningly elegant, refined and drinkable at 114 proof. Pretty much blows the doors off an Old No. 8 I have from 1993 (05/24/93 at 10:05...I love these date and time stamps on the older Turkeys), which ain't too shabby in its own right.

[funknik]

Roger,

The WT-03-RB is still in great supply. There may be a new one as Jimmy Russell told me the "new" release of Rare Breed is Un-Chill filtered. You just may want to grab one when you see it.

Joe :usflag:

I was under the impression that everything from Wild Turkey with a proof of 100 or above was un-chill filtered . . . can anyone else confirm, disconfirm, or chime in on this with more rumors?

[nblair]

I was under the impression that everything from Wild Turkey with a proof of 100 or above was un-chill filtered . . . can anyone else confirm, disconfirm, or chime in on this with more rumors?

[funknik]

I can confirm that there was quite a good thread about this on BE. Long story short, it turns out BourbonJoe spoke to Jimmy Russell himself to confirm it is all chill filtered. However, the newest batch of WTRB (not yet released) will be un-chill filtered.

[OscarV]

However, the newest batch of WTRB (not yet released) will be un-chill filtered.

[nblair]

This is interesting. Do you know if they are going to state that on the label?

Did you hear when this will be released?

I personally have no idea. Joe, or others "in the know", might be of more help.

I don't want to paste a link to BE here, but if anyone wants to read the thread, it is titled "Colouring and Chill-Filtering".

[Res/st-or]

I am going to a tasting on tuesday with Jimmy Russell. I'll see if I can ask him a question or two.

[p_elliott]

I was under the impression that everything from Wild Turkey with a proof of 100 or above was un-chill filtered . . . can anyone else confirm, disconfirm, or chime in on this with more rumors?

That is utrue every thing from WT is chill filtered

[ILLfarmboy]

Brad, how was the batch 99? Tasty, delicious, you'd buy it again if you could find it? Or, not so much?

Sorry I missed your post till now, but yes the 99 was better, at least in

my opinion. The 03 is dryer with less leather. If you have a choice, get some of the 99. But I wouldn't drive all over hell's half acre looking for it.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I know I have read that there are some people who say the recent version was the best one they've ever tasted. I have drank 91, 93, 95, 99 and 03 and none of them stood out in my mind as being any better than another, but as they say Your Mileage May Very (YMMV). The current current (03RB?) was very good, but I'd have to assume it has just about ran it's course.