BEST $60-80 Bourbon! How Did THIS Win?! - SPEECHLESS

[@dwally32]

You should blind taste all the winners together at the end. See if any price points stand out over another.

[@kurtludington5986]

All the winners will be blinded on our livestream this month! Last Friday of September!

[@kevinfoster2246]

that would be nice!!!

[@aprichman]

This may not be the first comment, but it’s certainly the best comment.

[@StevenSegura-z6q]

@@kurtludington5986 Any chance we could do a blind taste test with the winners, but with both of you doing it independently, and not even in the same room? A truly blind test!

[@kurtludington5986]

@@StevenSegura-z6q wow, would have to figure that out in correlation with the livestream. Interesting!

[@MrCoreyRobert]

This series is by far your best content. Never stop doing these popular bottle blinds. So much fun. As a huge wheater and Maker's fan, this was a joy to watch.

[@apeekintime]

Criminally underrated bottle. The fan base got to concerned with "allocations" that they forgot the big brands also make fantastic whiskey.

[@FakingANerve]

​@@apeekintimeAnd the regular MM CS is just a silly good deal. I still don't know if I put 46 CS above it.

[@bigmark2.046]

Makers is the most disrespected in almost all of your blinds, yet it ''surprises'' you almost in almost all of your blinds by how good it is. Think about that. :D I love you guys! Keep up that good work.

[@brianwallace789]

I picked up bakers 7 a month or so ago. Got home, opened it up, let it sit open for about 20 minutes and couldn’t wait to try it. It was not good. At all. My wife said she liked it though and I went and poured something else after slowly finishing the glass. I went back to it a few days later, same thing. My wife pours me three glasses and has me guess and rank them a lot. She kept throwing bakers in and it kept throwing me off because it was different each time. It slowly started tasting better and better as the bottle was depleted. The bottle is about half way empty now. The flavors that come from a glass of bakers 7 now are completely opposite of what I experienced in the top 1/4 of the bottle. It’s actually pretty good now. Work through your bottle some and revisit it blind and I think you’ll be surprised.

[@vert7871]

This is my experience with my bakers I got a month ago. After opening up, it’s amazing, and the palate matches the nose finally. When I smelled it on the first glass I thought it was going to be delicious, but it was so harsh. Cheers 🥃

[@kylegarrett4071]

Same experience. Did not like first half at all. Was about to give it away and tried it and loved the last 3rd.

[@brienburke4382]

I’m a wheater from my days of working at Stitzel-Weller and it amazes me how a lot of the reviews disregard Wheated Bourbons until you face them in a blind. Wheated Bourbon is good and when done right it’s outstanding. Love you guys. Great series. SLB is the best on KZbin.

[@GeauxRilla]

That makers cs just won a blind on this channel not a while back

[@DanielDrociuk]

As a statistician, it's always so interesting to see how situations like this play out. There are so many intentional and unintentional biases that may impact how outcomes are achieved. Couple that with soooo many variables that may impact the sense of smell and taste on any given day, and between sips. To me, the moral of the story is "try things and drink what you like." The opinions of so many people are just that: opinions. Kurt always does an EXCELLENT job of emphasizing the "drink what you like the way you like it". To me, all of these are great bottles and I wouldn't turn my nose up to a single one. Not because of what someone says, but because of my personal preferences. I've often found that when I tend to chase the "shiny thing", i often forget about things that I loved in the past, that are still good and accessible. To me, some may say "well, your taste just hasn't refined......". I don't think that's it. You find what your like, you explore other things and work within the budget and priorities that you set. As with any "hobby", it can take over your life. :) Well done as always folks.

[@rosiesmom123]

I’m a Tennessee girl and I’m learning so much from you Yankee guys! Love it!

[@ibdam1]

Kurt’s facial expressions when he knows it’s a Turkey product, PRICELESS. He can’t stop tasting C. 😂😂

[@wolfe5244]

Especially being as he said while tasting the KC 12yr, that there isn't any turkey in this blind.

[@Strings-jg2to]

Since I've been sick and off work I've been binge watching your video's. It really helped me pull through. Thanks for everything. Cheers from Kansas.

[@NotSoSilentE]

I have long been singing the praises of Maker's Mark, especially the 46 Cask Strength, so seeing it win blinds is always a treat.

[@jaysonmiller4866]

I have to tell you guys. I am fairly new (2 years) to bourbon. I discovered your channel on KZbin. Almost every one of my favorite bourbons come from watching you. This video surprised me! I’m not a big Makers guy. Didn’t really like the Makers Cask strength. I decided to try the 46 cask strength after this video. Wow! Very good! I decided to go for a 2nd pour without washing the glass (Pikesville Rye) and I was greeted with one of the best noses I’ve ever had. I had to try and made a 50/50 pour of Pikesville and 46 Cask Strength. If you haven’t tried, do it! Might make a great video! Like an Infinity bottle video or something of the like! Keep up the great vids!

[@MattFoleysGhost]

Blind tastings are so important! They remind us that palates are unpredictable and context matters.

[@joelharper1467]

Love the blinds, I would love to see a michters blind. I have really been digging the michters American small batch

[@WhiskeyBusinessFL]

This is why blinds are so fun! There always seems to be a surprise or two. Great video, guys! Also, as a huge Maker's fan, the results make me happy.

[@kandm2597]

Ahhh I love this one...I am a KC12 fanatic, but wow! Watching you two I was talking to the screen!

[@fredbaker6315]

Loved this blind, I will be looking for cask strength makers now!

[@jasonczfan8658]

I think this blinds you’re doing are the best on bourbon KZbin right now. I’m looking forward to the next one.

[@rickmorenojr]

Thanks for including the list of bourbons in your video description. Awesome video!

[@rickb1415]

Love watching this. All great bottles. Funny enough the Makers french cask is one of my favorites currently

[@scottharris9318]

This episode was fun to watch. You guys inspired me to start a bourbon and rye collection earlier this year. I’m up to 60 bottles and almost out of room. I have four of those bottles (1-3 and 5) but haven’t tried any of them so far. Kurt, thanks for the Rare Breed tips; it is by far my current favorite. I never knew what I was missing.

[@JerboFotius]

This makes me feel very good about my palate. Makers seems to always be best to me. And I cannot stress how thankful I am about that... will never have a problem finding it, and it is very fairly priced.

[@bartolley8580]

Fabulous guys!! The only bottle I haven't tried is the Penelope. The Cask strength is a favorite. I've learned not to set my expectation on my palette from week to week don't beat yourselves up.

[@apeekintime]

These ranking videos have kinda held up to my experience blinding similar bottles. Maker's 46 ended up beating out KC 12 and 15 in a blind for me. I've also thrown it against some store picks, regular Maker Cask Str, and the BEP. The BEP and Makers 46 Cast Str ended up being neck and neck and EXTREMELY similar. Maker's 46 and even regular Maker's Cask Str are just criminally underrated by the whiskey community. The Maker's 46 Cask Str is better than many allocated bottles like Henry McKenna, most Larceny batches, and even Stagg. Between KC 9 store picks and Makers 46 Cask Str you really have an incredible pair of whiskies with very different profiles for around $50-65 each. Costco CONSTANTLY has Maker's 46 Cask Str for around $55 locally. Instead of chasing allocated bottles most people would actually have an equal or better bar if they just stocked Woodford Reserve Double Oak, Russell's Reserve Private Select, Makers 46 Cask Str, OF 1920/1910, 4 Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength (and even non barrel strength), and a few Knob Creek 9 picks, KC 12, and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Strength. Those bottles don't trade a premium and are USUALLY available. They are also better than 90% of the allocated bottles. Feel like most enthusiasts get excited about finding that unicorn of a LE that they forgot the classic brands actually have a ton of experience, talent, and resources. They might make some questionable LE's from time to time but the top end of their core lineups will always be fantastic.

[@nicholaspu]

They had makers 46 at my local cvs! Haha

[@rogerreese7624]

This was so enjoyable to watch on a Friday evening after a long week. I finished watching with a pour of Makers 46 CS and found it to be awesome. Cheers, guys and thank you.

[@DougDemsko]

I love all the offerings from Rabbit Hole. Did a distillery tour there two weeks ago. 🥃

[@robcoscia1574]

Great episode, as always. Loved the surprises today but my favorite part is 25:24 when Trenton asks, "You sure?" and his face tells us the look he got in answer to his question.

[@robr.3679]

I always have a MM 46 CS on my shelf, and am continually amazed that I see it so often on my local shelves. Another great video!

[@russellbranton5602]

Really liked this blind. I agree with Trenton, "Makers has been killin' it here lately".

[@scottdepledge4209]

You guys kill me. Love your honesty. Makes us bourbon drinkers all feel better about what we try and like. Love you guys.

[@ScottHayes-z8r]

19:02 Trenton: “sometimes my patience runs thin …. like the finish on this whiskey”😂

[@scottmacdonald5170]

I really like the flavor that the extra aging in French oak gives the Makers 46. Very different than regular Makers. I haven't picked up the cask strength but should.

[@justinhopland5020]

This is one of my favorite series you have done. I’d love to see variants of this in the future like best Rye in each category.

[@tmbreaux1]

We love watching your series on the different price ranges of Bourbon! We look forward to each show!!😊

[@richburrus7378]

Can't wait for that WINNER's Blind Test - should be a great show. Trent may have to cry hinself to sleep again that night.

[@Jared40]

You broke my heart with Bakers 7 I think it's such a solid pour never had a bad single barrel last three I've had one was 8 years 11 months , 8 years 10 months and 7 year 10 months 😄🥃

[@enricojaun2880]

Agreed. Its a definite sleeper, but im happy if it stays that way.

[@DownSouth954]

Same. I have a 8 year 11 month bottle in my bar and it's just incredible to me.

[@Jared40]

@@DownSouth954 ya all I've had are solid but 8 year 11 month was amazing 🥃

[@brettheiner7125]

If you don’t like the Beam profile, it just don’t work for you - tried several times…

[@kennygo8300]

20:28 had me laughing so hard I had to stop the video. I'm still such a kid.

[@steelfish52]

Favorite bourbon channel. New here but love your guys content 🍻

[@mistermatsuda]

I love Maker's Mark regular so I'm happy with this vid. I'm such a novice though.

[@jswarner319]

Love the show you guys. Just killing it. Super entertaining.

[@lordofshapes1387]

I feel validated. Within the last few months, Makers' 46 Cask Strength came to my area, and I've since purchased 4 of them because it's become one of my favorites.

[@TheOriginalHajinu]

Does your bottle look like theirs? Because that is not this year's release. The bottle and label for this year is different.

[@nickyviews]

I cracked my Bakers7 this week and loved it… I’ll have to get i to it again and try to figure out Trent and Kurts’ reasoning.

[@leeknowlton7303]

The only knock I can give it is the flavors are a little chaotic to me, they are really good flavors but they don't seem to play well together. Perhaps they need another year in the barrel?

[@marcushershberger6170]

I think I rewinded three or four times to listen to Kurt's chuckle over Trent reaction to Baker seven, good stuff!😂

[@matthightower1570]

Y'all should put out a blooper reel. I'm sure it would be a hit.

[@Pirate_Henry_Avery]

Love it! Blinds NEVER fail to surprise me.. I have all 5 of those and need to run that myself but I'm a big Maker's fan

[@djd2819]

Best blind yet - and you guys have had a few. Love it!

[@HuskyHops]

Add Water chestnut as the latest taste description. Loving it all, cheers!

[@neilpowell1641]

I've got all of these, save for Penelope. I'll do my own tasting this evening & see how they come out. I am not surprised at all that in a blind tasting MM46 Cask wins. They put out great stuff. Shows how our perceptions shape our opinions! Great video and choices! Thank you.

[@robertsills6533]

not going to lie. I love these reactrions. amazing what branding and market does to your brain

[@saul.m184]

Great video! The power of the blind taste! By not preconceived ideas of what a bourbon will taste like by the name brand, it shows you the truth about the bourbon and where it truly ranks. Continue producing this type of video!

[@andrew.triggs]

I'm super excited. I was already planning on cracking my bottle of Makers 46CS tonight before watching this.

[@lukecorder7460]

I actually just got that markers mark 46 casks yesterday and they have me very excited to try it tonight lol, great video!

[@kylekapps9701]

Have a Makers 46 CS unopened and am very excited to crack it open! Love all the videos but would say you shine with the blinds! Would love a Friday Blind Day or weekly blind video

[@haroldjohnson2041]

Maker Mark 46 "regular", Russell Res. Single Barrel and knob 12 and 9 are some of my favorite.

[@davidatac9738]

Another great video fellas ! Cheers to making it to Friday .. was able to grab a weller cypb and 12 for $110 together 😮

[@jpii8468]

MM46 CS is one of the favorites on my bar (and I have 100+ bottles).

[@SingleDadHomesteading]

I'm catching up on some videos and the best part of this one is where Trwnt slightly pucks in his mouth when Makers46 was mentioned 😂

[@Slo-Mode]

I really love makers and the basic 46 is what really got me in to whiskey so this result sparks joy

[@mikepetrella4009]

Wow! What an episode! This was fantastic....Kurt! Yet another Russell's fail on your part. Can't believe it...but kudos to Maker's! It's great stuff...looking so forward to the live stream at the end of the month! Cheers!

[@FrankGastelum]

I know makers mark CS was going to win, it’s one of my favorites. Laughing at your reactions. Thanks for the entertainment!

[@kevincameron8437]

No need to hide…y’all had some great pours tonight. And that version of Makers is my favorite so far along my short bourbon journey.

[@aarontagerson8598]

What a Fantastic Show and Once again,,, Y'all made it awesome!! As I was watching, I was in shock myself!!👊💪🥃

[@ShipWreck68]

I noticed there is a trend in all your videos and which bourbons you chose that you like the most. Its ALWAYS the sweetest one...which is going to be Makers Mark...followed by one of the Jim Beam products like Knob Creek.

[@logut80]

Great episode as usual! So much fun to watch because it's easy to tell you guys are having fun doing it. CHEERS

[@seankimbrell7247]

Another AWESOME and FUN video, your honest reactions make these videos even more enjoyable to watch. Thank you

[@bill-qv3er]

This was a great video !! I need to try some of that Penelope but just cannot find it.

[@TheMNbassHunter]

It's really fun to see how these play out with day-to-day taste perception changes, bottle-to-bottle variation of the whiskey, and up against various other whiskeys. I had a bottle of 46 Cask last year that I thought was the best bottle in my collection. However, I now have a different bottle that I recently blinded against a Four Roses OESO store pick, Doc Swinson's Toasted, and Belle Meade Reserve. The Cask 46 was last place because I was picking up a sour milk note I hadn't ever picked up on the other bottle. And I know my glasses were clean, I checked them before pouring. The Four Roses killed it in that blind, that day.

[@eyeball34undead54]

Awesome tasting session as always, guys. I also was surprised at the Maker's winning it, but I guess it goes to show, you can't get too set in your ways, and always try something different, or re-try some "old friends"; you might find something new in common. ;-)

[@nickalmand]

I REALLY wanted to like the Makers more than I did, but there's something at the end I didn't like. Not sure what it is, but it could've been something I ate LOL. Gonna have to give it another shot. Still trying to find the Penelope Toasted in my area. Love this series, guys!

[@toddlksbrbn]

That’s was so much fun to watch. Your guys expressions were awesome!

[@AVERAGEWHISKEYDRINKER]

Crikey! I'm Trent, the Gnat Crusher....here hunting gnats on another episode of SLB GNAT CRUSHERS !!!! lol - Great video guys !

[@stevenphillips430]

Maker's Mark is consistently very good and very under rated. I love them. Most Maker's products are available everywhere, every day, at reasonable prices. Heck, they even go on sale from time to time. They're not flashy, they're not over hyped, they're disrespected and taken for granted. As someone who is not the biggest fan of Buffalo Trace products I love this, my favorites are on the shelf all the time as people leave lots for me while snatching up Buffalo Trace products and other allocateds.

[@rrhoades8502]

I started as a 18 year old on Jim Beam. The first time I had Makers Mark, changed my World 🌎. Love it.

[@nickp5511]

Great video! Never had the Penelope but the others are all my favorites! Really enjoy them all!

[@boydelliott7274]

Great show guys! This series has been a lot of fun.

[@tomh7331]

An old fart newbie of only a couple months but love your shows. Please keep producing such quality entertainment and informative videos.

[@Rare_Brad]

That was crazy. Excellent video guys. Thanks and have a great weekend. Cheers

[@nicholasportonova8275]

Great show. I love MC46 and KC12. All the 5 picks are really good. I've actually never had Bakers 7

[@crosleyandrew8622]

Loving this series thanks for all the great content!

[@baumaj24ssg]

Perhaps you guys have heard this, but I would love to see you do a rye series, moving through the various price points like you’ve done with bourbon. Love the videos. By the way, Trenton is responsible for the 10 new bottles of rye that I’ve purchased over the past month and a half, lol. I am a rye convert for sure.

[@NebFan06]

Hey, the Maker's 46 Cask Strength is one of my favorite pours. It is amazing. Our Costco had it and I made the mistake of only buying 1 bottle. I should have stocked up.

[@Robert.Sheard]

What a great lineup. I love four of them and haven't yet tasted the fifth.

[@MrUwphotography]

Thanks for listing the bottles!

[@jose_cuellar]

When I first got into bourbon, Makers 46 was my top pick. I always described it as the perfect bourbon. Same when I tried the cask strength. Then I tried to convince myself that allocated and overpriced bourbons were better and that idea failed time and time again. Makers is just consistently good, for people like me, some of their stuff is flat out perfect.

[@carmenalletto2136]

Great video. Poured a glass of Makers before watching.

[@CiboloDave]

Loved this blind. Can't wait for the next one.

[@scottp3287]

My shop recommends Makers cask strength to me a couple of weeks ago as they didn't have the DNA. My evening sip from now on and already have to pick up another. Not a surprise to me. 😊

[@scrummaster1]

Maker's FTW! I loved your reactions. I have enjoyed many of the Maker's special reserve and cask strenght releases. Can wait to try some cellar aged.

[@taylornielsen5844]

I was rooting for KC12 the whole time! Love that pour!

[@BrianVaughn]

These are some big hitters. Love all of these bottles. Bakers is something I've been drinking more and really enjoy but in this group I can see how it struggled. I love Beam products and Russell's but I agree that the Makers 46 Cask Strength is #1 in this flight. I probably would have the exact same order based on how I've ranked these in the past.

[@robertbooth3367]

Interesting to see some of the "older" somewhat forgotten / overlooked brands are making a comeback, especially in blinds. Four Roses, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey. Some very good newer products coming from craft distilleries and blenders, but the old guys still have a lot to offer Old guys rule! Kurt ! Lol

[@customer9845]

What do you do with all the leftover whisky in the glass once the blind tasting are complete?

[@skramzy6628]

I've only had MM46CS and the Russel's Single Barrel out of this lineup - but both are favorites of mine. Without blinding them, I'd put the Russel's Single Barrel over the 46 - but they are both just outstanding pours.

[@scottsmith1455]

Need to try that Marker’s 46 cask strength!

[@SRVandDtrouble]

You guys should definitely do a bracket with all the winners from each price point and do an overall winner.

[@JimBandy]

I really liked this! Good show guys!

[@nick263]

Stocked up on a few of those Makers 46 CS when they went on sale for $48 at my local store. My favorite shelfer

[@paulhendershot111]

I just picked up a bottle of Makers 46 cask a couple of weeks ago but have not opened it yet. Tonight is the night to crack that baby open and give it a try. I do love the Knob Creek 12 year and Russells Single barrel. Great video guys!!!

[@MusicNerdMIDI]

I love this so much. The first place winner bottle was the first cask strength bottle I got and I was not disappointed. They have been really solid and I can't really come up with anything negative about this offering.

[@sanchezjr13]

I don't know how many times Maker's gets underestimated and it ends up winning. I love Maker's products, it started my bourbon journey. Cheers🥃

[@timrigney5810]

Have you ever tried Luca Mariano single barrel 100 proof??