BOTM, 11/05: Russell's Reserve 101

[barturtle]

I cleaned off the shelf in my local liquor store in LA a couple weeks ago hoping that they would still have more 101 in the warehouse, damn if the 90 didn't show up on the shelf.

[kbuzbee]

gotta have something to keep the moral up here through the winter!

Kentucky Spirit also does a nice job of that. We set an all time record for snowfall last winter so I put that to the test.

Ken (in Cleveland - we get 3 sunny days per Winter, whether we need them or not!)

[ratcheer]

I cleaned off the shelf in my local liquor store in LA a couple weeks ago hoping that they would still have more 101 in the warehouse, damn if the 90 didn't show up on the shelf.

Well, there you go.

At least, you have possession of the 101's.

Tim

[ratcheer]

I also prefer Rare Breed, but RR 101 was a solid value at about $6 less, per bottle (in these parts). It was a very nice, full proof, 10-year old Wild Turkey at a reasonable price. What more could you want?

Tim

[Chaz7]

Well last night I opened my new bottle of WTRR 101. Compared to the 90, the only difference I see is a tad more bite to the 101. Neither are my favorite pours; however, I do enjoy the Kentucky Spirit. With that said, I personally won't miss the 101. I like the smoothness of the 90 a little better; again, I truly appreciate the big bourbons like PVW 15yr and OGD 114. But maybe (purely speculation on my part) the folks at WT are wanting to focus more on their RB and KS. And by making the RR 90 proof, they distinguish their line up.

[Brennan77]

I'm in the San Francisco bay area right now. The local Bevmo has 6 or so bottles of the 101 on the shelf. I enjoy the RR101. I'm glad I have one unopened bottle. But I don't think I'll stock up. I have too many other bourbons I want to try.

[Rughi]

Brennan,

There're still plenty of RR 101 available in ones, twos, and half dozens in the area. You don't need them, but do you need any Stagg from the last 3 bottlings? If so, there're still a couple bottles of each at Ledger's on University Ave in Berkeley.

Sorry, I would put this Stagg stuff in a new thread, but it's such a one-liner that would seem gratuitous.

Roger

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi Tim,

As I have said before, I go back and forth on which is better, the RB or the RR 101. However, the RB is the cheaper of the two here. I think... They aren't far apart at any rate.

Ed

[ratcheer]

Yes, I figured it would be different in different places. When both were available, here, RB was $32 and RR was $26.

Tim

[ThomasH]

i think Wild Turkeys decision to turn Russells Reserve into a 90 proofer is a joke. It is purely for money reasons. In Ohio, when the 90 proof started to arrive on shelfs, the state raised the price per bottle 4.00+. I would rather have the 101 and cut it back to 90 if I choose.

Thomas

[Chaz7]

Over on Proof Changes, Chuck Cowdery gives a good theory on the proof change, and in this case, it may not be money. I too believe it's marketing and mass appeal. But, at the end of the day, I think (it's only an opinion) the 90 may be a tad better. But since the 101 is it this month, I am partaking. By the way, just picked up abottle of OGD 114 (I am really getting attached to that, much better to me than WTRR 101 and a whole $2.00 less!) and based on a review elsewhere here, Weller Antique 107, which I've never tried. Chaz

[tmas]

AMEN.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Any word on what we will be drinking together in December?

Ed

[Brennan77]

Brennan,

There're still plenty of RR 101 available in ones, twos, and half dozens in the area. You don't need them, but do you need any Stagg from the last 3 bottlings? If so, there're still a couple bottles of each at Ledger's on University Ave in Berkeley.

Sorry, I would put this Stagg stuff in a new thread, but it's such a one-liner that would seem gratuitous.

Roger

I've not tried Stagg but I hear it's something. My wife has been talking about a trip out that way to some chocolate factory or something, so I may just have to look this place up.

On to Russell's Reserve 101, after further review informed by a few other bourbon tastings, I'm finding it to be quite bold and hot. That's not necessarily bad, but it opens up to what it can be with a bit of water. My uncle tried this one with me and didn't really enjoy it.