Russell Reserve or Rare Breed?

[NickAtMartinis]

This is for all you Wild Turkey lovers. And, yes, I am a convert!:grin:

I came across two Wild Turkeys that I know are well received here, Russell's Reserve and Rare Breed. Which would you a prefer to drink?

I'm leaning toward the Rare Breed since it's Barrel Proof! Is it really, though? Or, is it like the Old Granddad 114 where the old bottles said barrel proof but how could all the barrels come out at 114?! Well, I guess if you mingled enough together you could do it but...

Anyway, if you'd like to tell me which you prefer, I'd greatly appreciate it. Once I find the general consensus here, I'll make a run to the liquor store to grab the declared winner.

Thanks,

Mark

[DrinkyBanjo]

I prefer Rare Breed but enjoy both quite a bit. Yes, Rare Breed is barrel proof but the proof is lower due to WT's lower entry proof.

This is for all you Wild Turkey lovers. And, yes, I am a convert!:grin:

I came across two Wild Turkeys that I know are well received here, Russell's Reserve and Rare Breed. Which would you a prefer to drink?

I'm leaning toward the Rare Breed since it's Barrel Proof! Is it really, though? Or, is it like the Old Granddad 114 where the old bottles said barrel proof but how could all the barrels come out at 114?! Well, I guess if you mingled enough together you could do it but...

Anyway, if you'd like to tell me which you prefer, I'd greatly appreciate it. Once I find the general consensus here, I'll make a run to the liquor store to grab the declared winner.

Thanks,

Mark

[NickAtMartinis]

I prefer Rare Breed but enjoy both quite a bit. Yes, Rare Breed is barrel proof but the proof is lower due to WT's lower entry proof.

Thanks for the info Tim. I'm leading toward Rare Breed because of the whole Barrell Proof statement. However, I noticed something on Wild Turkey's website. It has Russell's Reserve listed as 101 proof which certainly makes sense since WT's penchent for that proof but the RR I saw had only a 90 proof, I believe.

Has my already poor memory failed me once again or are there two versions of the RR?

[Rughi]

Has my already poor memory failed me once again or are there two versions of the RR?

There are indeed two versions, and this was a major topic of discussion not too long ago. Check the archives and you'll see just how betrayed many sb.commies felt by this watering down.

Roger "Read All About It" Hodges

By the way, there were some who preferred the new higher-priced, pre-diluted-for-your-convenience version.

[DrinkyBanjo]

To make it easier on you the current bottling is 90 proof and the previous one was 101. They are easily distinguished as the bottles are clearly different. Most prefer the 101 but the 90 is some fine whiskey too.

There are indeed two versions, and this was a major topic of discussion not too long ago. Check the archives and you'll see just how betrayed many sb.commies felt by this watering down.

Roger "Read All About It" Hodges

By the way, there were some who preferred the new higher-priced, pre-diluted-for-your-convenience version.

[Phischy]

I found some RR 101 and have had the Rare Breed. I'm not a Turkey fan and most often I refer to most products as: "Buzzard Juice". I just find everything very 'hot'. Although it has been awhile since I had any Kentucky Spirit and I am looking for RRR and American Spirit but have yet to spot any in any So Cal location. The only WT I have is RR101 tucked away somewhere since I didn't care for it.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I've found if I use the search function I can usually find an abundance amount of material regarding most the items I am interested in and often don't have to start a new thread for every topic...

[NickAtMartinis]

I've found if I use the search function I can usually find an abundance amount of material regarding most the items I am interested in and often don't have to start a new thread for every topic...

Actually, more often than not, I use the search function. However, I wanted to get a consensus of the current membership on their preference between the two bourbons. For this, I would not use the search function.

Now, if I wanted to find out something like, which distillery Blanton's derives from, then I'd use the search function.

Thanks for the advice. As a result, I'll do a search to see if a similar thread to this has already been written.

Just one quick note. If you're not interested in this or any thread that I start, I won't be offended if you don't respond.

Regards,

Mark

[Phischy]

Whoops, I forgot to say I prefer Rare Breed.

On another note, why aren't the 'super' threads stickied? I know there's a wealth of info on this site, but there should be a WT thread stickied with factual info about their different lines etc...

Even more so for the older distilieries that have a longer history and more products.

[barturtle]

On another note, why aren't the 'super' threads stickied? I know there's a wealth of info on this site, but there should be a WT thread stickied with factual info about their different lines etc...

Even more so for the older distilieries that have a longer history and more products.

If we stickied all of the super threads, you would have to click through several pages to get to the newest posts, besides by taking the time to read through other posts trying to find the info you want you learn more.:cool:

[melting]

I'd recommend the Rare Breed also. I always keep a bottle on hand and WT products are my favorite by far. Having said that, I've never really had a bottle of Russell's Reserve that I really cared for. I've been through two bottles of the 90 proof and just found it to be ok, with a kind of weird aftertaste.

Chris

[nor02lei]

This is for all you Wild Turkey lovers. And, yes, I am a convert!:grin:

I came across two Wild Turkeys that I know are well received here, Russell's Reserve and Rare Breed. Which would you a prefer to drink?

I'm leaning toward the Rare Breed since it's Barrel Proof! Is it really, though? Or, is it like the Old Granddad 114 where the old bottles said barrel proof but how could all the barrels come out at 114?! Well, I guess if you mingled enough together you could do it but...

Anyway, if you'd like to tell me which you prefer, I'd greatly appreciate it. Once I find the general consensus here, I'll make a run to the liquor store to grab the declared winner.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,

For me it is an easy choice. RR 101 is a much better whiskey to my personal preferences. I do also think this is a question about what stile you prefer. As I see it the 2 are in the opposite corner of eat other with RR 101 being the punchiest bourbon from the distillery in resent time and RB being far on the mild side despite barrel proof. I do also prefer RR 90 far before RB as well.

Leif

[NorCalBoozer]

Mark, I would say Rare Breed. When you take into account that Rare Breed can be had for under $35, it makes it an easier decision.

Of course in due time you'll probably end up buying whichever one you pass on just to satisfy your curiosity. The good news is....all WT products are good!

Greg

[ratcheer]

I prefer Rare Breed. It is one of my favorite bourbons at any price. It is always rich and full-flavored. It stands up better to serving on the rocks than almost anything else I can think of.

Just my two-cents worth, YMMV, etc, etc.

Tim

[TNbourbon]

For whatever it's worth, these are the two Wild Turkey bourbons I don't particularly care for in any iteration.

[ILLfarmboy]

Taste wise Rare breed! But if the bottles of RR sitting on the shelf waiting to be purchased are the old 101 proof version I would get them while they last. If you like Wild Turkey you won't be disapointed with either.

[ACDetroit]

I have to put my vote in for the RR 101. I have not had the 90 proof yet but have picked up the last five 101'a I've come across. Better make that 4 I gave one to a buddy of mine...he brought me my BTAC from KY:grin: . You know now that I think about it he was going to sign up? HEY HOGBEN I know your lurking so get you but to the new to SB.com brother. OH yeah and next time you up make it a Friday:slappin: .

Tony

[NickAtMartinis]

I have to put my vote in for the RR 101. I have not had the 90 proof yet but have picked up the last five 101'a I've come across. Better make that 4 I gave one to a buddy of mine...he brought me my BTAC from KY:grin: . You know now that I think about it he was going to sign up? HEY HOGBEN I know your lurking so get you but to the new to SB.com brother. OH yeah and next time you up make it a Friday:slappin: .

Tony

I'd get the RR but it's only the 90 proof. I'm running out now to get RB. Liquor stores in CT close at 9PM if you can believe that.

[NickAtMartinis]

Thanks everyone for all your help and participation. It was certainly very much appreciated. I'm heading out now to grab me some RB.

I'll let you all know what I think.

Thanks,

Mark

[polyamnesia]

how's it going with the RBreed?

as i've said here in my few posts, i WAS very impressed with the RR 90...and though i prefer the bite of regular WT 101, the RR 90 was a really nice, spikey-mellow (and complex enough) example of pure alchemy.

i admit, i haven't found a bottle of the RR 101....and really really want to...but i totally recommend the 90. wonderful stuff.

cheers

andy

p.s.

your report on the RB might cause me to go ahead and lake a run for it myself...on sale now in PA lcb stores for $29.99......:grin:

[NickAtMartinis]

how's it going with the RBreed?

as i've said here in my few posts, i WAS very impressed with the RR 90...and though i prefer the bite of regular WT 101, the RR 90 was a really nice, spikey-mellow (and complex enough) example of pure alchemy.

i admit, i haven't found a bottle of the RR 101....and really really want to...but i totally recommend the 90. wonderful stuff.

cheers

andy

p.s.

your report on the RB might cause me to go ahead and lake a run for it myself...on sale now in PA lcb stores for $29.99......:grin:

Andy, that sounds like a good price. I think the RB up here was around $35 but not sure. The RR I believe was in the $40's.

Also, as an update to my run to the liquor store, please check out What bourbon did you purchase today? Oh, what I find!:grin:

[ACDetroit]

Hey Andy check out the what bourbon did you purchase tonight post and look what Mark got tonight. The RBreed took a back seat.

Looks like Mark is going "Stagg" tonight!

Tony

[ILLfarmboy]

... The RR I believe was in the $40's.

Ouch, The old RR 101 was always around $24.99-$26.99 in these parts. Forty five dollars and some change will get you a fifth of KS.

[ACDetroit]

I'm with Farmboy at that price buy some WTKS! I love some KS that's some good whiskey!

Tony

[NickAtMartinis]

Ouch, The old RR 101 was always around $24.99-$26.99 in these parts. Forty five dollars and some change will get you a fifth of KS.

Brad, based on what you've written above, I probably screwed up the pricing there. It was probably $40-something for the RB and then $30-something for the RR.

My memory has once again failed.:grin: Not shocking.:bigeyes: