Russell Reserve or Rare Breed?

[polyamnesia]

well, mark, try RR90 when you can.

but i am sure that Stagg find was meant to be...!

how much does it go for? i don't PA or DE sell it...

oh and yeah, the price was turned around.

RR90 is about $25 or so here...RBreed is a bit higher...but like i said, on sale for the month for $29.99

[ratcheer]

So, did you get it? How do you like it?

Tim

[Everman75]

I know the final vote has already been tallied, but my vote is for RB. RR is good, but RB wins it. Although the only RR I've had is the 90. If anyone out there know a way I can get my hands on a bottle or two of the 101, let me know...I might change my vote:grin:

[NickAtMartinis]

So, did you get it? How do you like it?

Tim

Tim, I was about to get the RB when out of the blue the '07 BTAC fell in my lap! The RB will have to wait but I certainly will buy it at some point in the future.

[wildcatdon]

I prefer the Russell's..that has a very good flavor..Agree with one of the guys above about Rare Breed having a "hot flavor"..Not a juge Wild Turkey fan....Get the Russells...

[Xibalba]

Rare Breed, no question. I found Russell's Reserve to be rather bland, while Rare Breed is one of the most unique bourbons I've ever tasted.

[NickAtMartinis]

thanks for everybody that participated. You helped me make my pick. I chose WTRB and was not dissapointed. In my mind, it's a great bourbon. Not sure on the age, but I'd say 8-10 years.

[TNbourbon]

...Not sure on the age, but I'd say 8-10 years.

It's a vatting of 6-, 8-, and 12-yo whiskeys.

[bigtoys]

I have unopened RB & RR down in the bunker. I had them out a couple of weeks ago, but they stayed shut; we opened the WTAS and '07 GTS. Seeing this thread again reminds of the 2 fresh bottles. Gonna try to get some people over this Fri for a Turkey Tasting. Should I have KS, too?? I thought I did, but I can't find it.

[JRomain]

RR 90 is all wood and alcohol, thanks to the unnecessary dilution. :-(

[NickAtMartinis]

It's a vatting of 6-, 8-, and 12-yo whiskeys.

Thanks, Tim. I was just thinking about searching on it but, thanks to you, now I don't have to.

[squire]

I don't find that much difference between them, the house style comes through.

While I don't really favor Wild Turkey I keep a bottle of Rare Breed around for guests who like the brand.

Regards,

Squire

[Bailey]

You guys inspired me to do a little turkey tasting. WTKS just arrived today. My Christmas present to myself. No question there are some similarities between the RR90, WTRB and WTKS, however, IMO the WTKS is hands down the best. The nose on the KS is softer and I get more caramel and vanilla tones than I do with the RB (which seems fruitier and spicier). The thing that really sealed the deal for me was the finish of the KS. You get the rye at mid-palate but then it really recedes nicely back into caramel and vanilla with just a little touch of oak. This is in contrast to the RR90 which has a very oaky finish in my view - and not the good kind of oak - more like diseased oak. The finish on the RB gives me a lot more burn (which is not a bad thing) but I guess I am partial to the smoother finish of KS. Thanks for the inspiration.

Roger

[Old Lamplighter]

Rare Breed, no question. I found Russell's Reserve to be rather bland, while Rare Breed is one of the most unique bourbons I've ever tasted.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.......RB is in a class by itself.

[Sijan]

I agree with the WTKS votes. It is the best regularly available WT bottling.

I am not sure between RR101 and RB, as I like both quite a bit, but I would definitely pick RB over RR90.

[Old Lamplighter]

I agree with the WTKS votes. It is the best regularly available WT bottling.

I am not sure between RR101 and RB, as I like both quite a bit, but I would definitely pick RB over RR90.

To me, RR101 tastes like a more 'tame' version of RB. If you want a more mellow, slow ride then go with RR101. If you want a bit quicker pace and spark to the tastebuds, go with RB. IMHO, RR101 and KS are closer to the old reliable WT8 than anything else currently on the market from WT. Just the same, both are fantastic pours with KS a slight cut above them.

[bluesbassdad]

Roger,

Your comparison reminds me of one I did about five years ago.

It's amazing to me that even above the 99th percentile there's still room for a clear superiority, at least to one person's palate, of one bottling over another.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Sijan]

I agree with Dave about WT12's clear superiority over WTKS, although my own comparison where it blew away the competition was against RR101, at the time one of my favorite bottlings. I was really surprised by how thin and flat my formerly beloved RR101 tasted after I'd had WT12. WT12 is one of my very favorite bourbons. Sadly, it is no longer available in the states, unless you get lucky and find a dusty bottle.

[Old Lamplighter]

Sadly, it is no longer available in the states, unless you get lucky and find a dusty bottle.

I have often wondered if WT will ever again offer a 12yo to the U.S. market. Seems like it would do very well in today's marketplace of high demand for older bourbon. With the WT brand recognition and the high regard for the gold foil and split labels, it seems like a 'no-brainer' to me. However, perhaps the majority of 12yo barrels are already committed to the RB recipe and there are simply none to be had for individual offering. Is their still a 12yo offered to the international market from WT?

[Bailey]

While my analysis was not so amusing as Dave's it sounds like the bottom line is that there is no shame in coming in second to WT12. I haven't had the pleasure of its company.

Roger

[ACDetroit]

To my understanding Jake the 12 yr. has been gone for a little while now. They are dusties even in Japan now. I spoke to a customer who has family in Japan and the last bottle of WT 12yr. he got from home was $500.00 USD :bigeyes: ! I know the 8 yr. old :cool: can still be picked up going to Canada from the U.S.

Tony

[luv2hunt]

To my understanding Jake the 12 yr. has been gone for a little while now. They are dusties even in Japan now. I spoke to a customer who has family in Japan and the last bottle of WT 12yr. he got from home was $500.00 USD :bigeyes: ! I know the 8 yr. old :cool: can still be picked up going to Canada from the U.S.

Tony

Wow! I'll sell one for $500!!!! Hot Damn!!!:shocked::shocked:

[craigthom]

To my understanding Jake the 12 yr. has been gone for a little while now. They are dusties even in Japan now. I spoke to a customer who has family in Japan and the last bottle of WT 12yr. he got from home was $500.00 USD :bigeyes: ! I know the 8 yr. old :cool: can still be picked up going to Canada from the U.S.

Tony

That explains it. My brother noticed that I've got a bottle of WT 8yo on the shelf. I hadn't noticed it myself, I'm ashamed to admit. I know I picked it up within the last five or six years, but I couldn't remember where. It must have been at a duty free shop, probably at the Ambassador Bridge. Or maybe at Port Huron. Or the Soo.

[Old Lamplighter]

Yep, the 'transition' was a slick bit of subtle marketing. A lot of us did not notice it for a while. In terms of WT, the next best thing to finding a WT12 is finding an 8.

[full_proof]

In order, WTRB, WTRR101, WTRR90. I've been purposely buying and bunkering the WTRR101 without any fear (or hope) of consuming my growing supply of it during my lifetime.