Taking the Next Turkey Step

[Parkersback]

There are a few threads (and even a poll!) that ask a similar question as the one I am about to pose here, but they are locked and several years old, so...

I want to investigate another WT product besides 101 and wanted to get some of your thoughts on the current versions of:

Rare Breed

Kentucky Spirit

Russell's Reserve 10 (90)

They are sort of close in price (36.91, 39.95, 29.99), with the AS and Tradition (89.99 and 96.99) much more than I want to spend. So I thought I'd throw it out there to you Turkey fans (I'm looking at you, Paul :grin: ) to see which of those three you like best, and why.

[callmeox]

I am a Kentucky Spirit fanatic, but I can't recommend the newer bottlings as the whiskey seems much younger than before.

I like the RR 10/90, but I vote for the Rare Breed as the next step in your Turkey exploration.

[squire]

Were I to buy another Turkey product it would be Rare Breed.

[White Dog]

Love Rare Breed!

[StraightNoChaser]

The KS is good but the RB is fantastic!

[fishnbowljoe]

I would like to suggest getting a bottle or RR 10/90, and a bottle of RB. Try both. See which one you like better. Then do a 1:1 vatting of the two. I call it Joe's Reserve. :grin: Tastes very similar to the old RR 10/101. Cheers! Joe

[Rughi]

The great thing about Rare Breed is that it vats younger and older whiskies to capture a more complex character than one gets from single age bottlings. KS can have great standout qualities at the top of it's game, but a master practicing his art on a vatting can surpass any single barrel in complexity and balance. I think some of the Rare Breeds approach the pinnacle of bourbon.

[Josh]

Rare Breed

Kentucky Spirit

Russell's Reserve 10 (90)

If I were grading the current ones (factoring in price, as I almost always do):

A

D

C+

The RR is just ho-hum at 90 proof. If I'm drinking with the Turkey, I expected to be pecked.

[squire]

Handling the Rare Breed has that effect on me.

[sailor22]

It's sad what has happened to KS. The older ones were my favorite Turkey expression but I'm just not impressed with the current offering.

The same batch numbers on the Rare Breed have been in use for quite awhile now and it's really good.

[Parkersback]

So, honestly, which one do you guys think I should try? :grin:

Rare Breed it is.

[squire]

Good choice Tom.

[callmeox]

Enjoy the Rare Breed as is existence is the reason for no WT12 yo sales in the US. Per Jimmie, theres not enough aged stock to support both.

[p_elliott]

Tom

Of the three you had picked out you had them in the right order. I love WTRB, WTKS is pretty good, I'm not a big fan of the RR 10/90 now if yo can find a RR 10/101 that's a another story all together snag that puppy. Also try the WT 101 Rye.

Paul

[Brisko]

I'm a fan of the RB, too. A well constructed whiskey at the perfect strength. And the price is decent.

[chefnash51]

Rare Breed never disappoints, while others have in the past

I like the idea if vatting the RR90 with RB to bring it to 101... might try that.

Hopefully once the stock/supplies build back up we will see WT 12 yr again

[trumpstylz]

Of the three you had picked out you had them in the right order. I love WTRB, WTKS is pretty good, I'm not a big fan of the RR 10/90 now if yo can find a RR 10/101 that's a another story all together snag that puppy. Also try the WT 101 Rye.

I second that notion. RB or WT rye (and RR 101 if you can actually find one)

[SBOmarc]

I am a Kentucky Spirit fanatic, but I can't recommend the newer bottlings as the whiskey seems much younger than before.

I like the RR 10/90, but I vote for the Rare Breed as the next step in your Turkey exploration.

I try not to disagree with Scott, especially when he is sooo right.

[jdodso3]

I third Trumpstylz...the RB is excellent, but in the long run, you should just try all of WT's offerings.

[tehbeardman]

Great topic Tom. I too am in the same boat as you. I love WT101. And I've not had any of the other expressions. I think I've decided that my next choices will be the Rye 101 then the RB.

[TNbourbon]

Rare Breed never disappoints, while others have in the past...

Yes, it does! Fairly frequently, for me, at least. Now, I've has some excellent Rare Breed. But, it's the exception, in my experience, not the rule. And I find same-numbered 'batches' awfully variable (and long-lasting! -- the same one's been on the shelf here in Middle Tennessee close to 10 years now. It doesn't sell!), too.

Like Woodford Reserve in the post-honey-barrel state, I just don't risk it, anymore.

...Hopefully once the stock/supplies build back up we will see WT 12 yr again

And this, perhaps, is why I tend to 'hate on' Rare Breed. When 12yo WT bourbon can be THIS GOOD by itself, why is God's Creation do they ruin it by blending it with vastly-inferior, 6- and 8-year-old whiskey?:banghead: :mad: :smiley_acbt:

[Pieface]

WTRB-03 is a pretty unique. Super spicey, not much sweetness to my palate. It's not a traditional bourbon profile as I think of it. Saying that I really enjoy it as a change up whiskey.

[T Comp]

Yes, it does! Fairly frequently, for me, at least. Now, I've has some excellent Rare Breed. But, it's the exception, in my experience, not the rule. And I find same-numbered 'batches' awfully variable (and long-lasting! -- the same one's been on the shelf here in Middle Tennessee close to 10 years now. It doesn't sell!), too.

Like Woodford Reserve in the post-honey-barrel state, I just don't risk it, anymore.

And this, perhaps, is why I tend to 'hate on' Rare Breed. When 12yo WT bourbon can be THIS GOOD by itself, why is God's Creation do they ruin it by blending it with vastly-inferior, 6- and 8-year-old whiskey?:banghead: :mad: :smiley_acbt:

There is still so much 03 RB stuck to the shelves around here too that I do believe it is inevitable to join the cockroach in being there at the end. There must have been a purposeful decision to really ramp up the production and apparently miscalculated. Never had the 03 as I have enough mid 90's which I find very good but Tim's point is well taken considering the superiority of the extinct ten year RR 101.

[Brisko]

I was under the impression that they quit using batch numbers with the 03. It doesn't seem possible that they had enough aged stock to put out that much at once.

I had a mini of RB that was an order of magnitude better than the current fifth that I have in my cabinet. I don't think there was a batch number on the mini... even if there was it is long gone.

In terms of quality, the mini was to the current RB as the current RB is to the standard 101.:bigeyes: Really. I still like and recommend RB, but I wouldn't mind seeing a 12 year (hell even an 8 year) back on the shelf.

[BourbonJoe]

All the 03RB's that I own are old ones (and good ones). I do not buy the newer bottles.

Joe :usflag: