Blanton's vs Early Times

[@michrason]

So good to see Mary Bridget back in the house again! Great video as always. I purchased my first Blanton's a few months ago at the distillery for around $54 and it is not what I reach for when I'm in a bourbon mood. It's a bit 'meh' for me TBH. I've sipped the Russell 10 year on my shelf much more frequently and continue to fall in love with Wild Turkey products. Doing a happy dance for your upcoming retirement! Congratulations, Peter! Cheers 🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I have her for Monday as well. Long video. Not much of a review, but it was nice to have her on the channel again. I am in the same situation as you. Wild Turkey products are growing in me more and more. Dec. 20th is coming up quick. I can't wait! Cheers!

[@paulring4267]

A brother, sister act 👏🏻👏🏻 Awesome 😎 keep up the great job.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Thank you! Will do!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Always an awesome time when Mary Bridgette is in the house!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

And as parents of a middle schooler, 100% can confirm that it’s rough at times. 😂

[@whiskeyisajourney]

December 20th is my last day. I'm finally retiring after 28+ years. I was going to retire a year ago, but was not ready. Definitely ready now.

[@FantasySoldier]

YAY! Sister is back!! I don't think I've ever had blanton's get that bitter to me. The black top Early Times are the old ones and I don't think to many people have put the new blue top over it. I personally like the black top too, but it was only a sample.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

She's back! Hopefully I'll get a couple of videos out of her while we are on break.

[@juliestockton8079]

I never see Blanton's on the shelves. I used to see it all the time and never bought one. I definitely wouldn't pay the outrageous prices for it now. Early Times is my favorite of all, with Rare Breed and/or JD Single Barrel Select possibly being exceptions. Also, by the time I got onto Early Times there were no black caps around. Thanks for a good video. My first time seeing your channel.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Blanton's is a good bottle at around $50, but not at $100+

[@lyacoubian]

Nice to see you again Mary-Bridget 🍎 I have had quite a few Blanton's bottles but none with the bitterness you spoke of.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

They both were a little off today. Not sure what happened. Typically I like them both...just not today.

[@r2skyvader]

It’s funny you got a strong bitter note on Blantons. In blinds, I find Blantons brings out the bitter notes in other pours, so I can see why it does so well in blinds. Early Times was a Brown Foreman product before it was purchased by Sazerac.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I couldn't remember which company it was on the spot. Thanks for clarifying. I have Blanton's in more blind samples so it will be interesting to see if that bitterness shows up again. Cheers!

[@DaveVogelsang-b8v]

I would take Early Times BIB any day instead of overrated Blanton’s. The last 2 Blanton’s I had tasted funky and skunky, so I gave them away. I pick them up only at MSRP to use in trades. I have 8 bottles of Early Times BIB black caps bunkered for retirement. 🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Nice! My retirement starts December 20th. Calling it quits as a teacher after 28 years.

[@DaveVogelsang-b8v]

@ Congratulations! I will be retiring June 2025. Cheers 🥃

[@neilrobertson6849]

The real bottom shelf royalty is JTS Brown. Always slays in my blind tastings with friends. Also the best with Coke - brings out the cinnamon.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I don't think we get JTS Brown in AZ. At least I have not seen it in my area.

[@FakingANerve]

Or it's brother, J.W. Dant 🥃🥃

[@mvttvh]

I love Early Times BiB and I always keep one on the shelf. It is one of my favorite “bottom shelf” pours, if not my favorite. It’s hard to beat the quality to value ratio, 1 liter for about $20. Blanton’s in my opinion is a much better bourbon especially if that particular single barrel is a hit. Sure it’s about $70, but it’s definitely a better bourbon. I think at $40-50 Blanton’s would be an appropriate price for the experience and quality of the bourbon. I’ll take an Eagle Rare all day for $35-40 over any regular Blanton’s.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

ET is certainly a fantastic value bottle. It typically tastes better for me. Not sure why these didn't do better. 🤔

[@meltedlight]

Welcome back to the sheep in wolf's clothing! Lol. Bit of a surprise on the result. Has me leery to open the Blanton's I have on my shelf. By the way, have you ever reviewed any Glenmorangie stuff? If so, I've not been able to find them. If not, would you consider doing so? Best regards.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I have a few bottles of Glenmorangie. Hopefully I'll get a review out soon.

[@0529mpb]

About 10% of Blanton's bottles are spectacular. About 10% are just bad. 50% are just right down the middle on profile. It's designed to be approachable, not to be intense like a really good Stagg.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I guess I will have to keep looking for the 10% spectacular, but not overpay to find it. Cheers!

[@TJO1913]

Maybe if Mary Bridget spins the wheel at month's end I'll have better luck with the drawing 🤞

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I will have her spin this time. See if that helps your cause.😉 Cheers!

[@pcalternatives]

Mary Bridget is adorable!💓

[@whiskeyisajourney]

She is.

[@umami0247]

Brown Forman made Early Times before being sold. And even the new whiskey is a great deal for the money and in a liter. As always BT makes good whiskey not great but very good whiskey. Is it over hyped oh my yes is it worth over msrp no. But with the influx of new drinkers and being swayed by not so seasoned drinkers it’s a cycle that will continue. 🥃🥃🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I could not remember what company had ET. Thanks for clarifying.

[@michrason]

Thanks!🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

You are in for 1. Best of luck. Cheers!

[@thomasanderson2870]

I would take ET bib or even JW Dant over Blantons, just don't know what the big fuss is about it? the bottle maybe 🤔 😕 Cheers 👍🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Not sure what the fuss is about either. 🤔

[@BrianVaughn]

We don't have Early Times in Minnesota. I've heard a lot about it but haven't tried it.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

It is typically better than it came across in this video.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

I will start with this: I have never had Blantons or any allocated BT product, unless you include Eagle Rare. But I have heard from multiple sources that Blantons is underwhelming. I have had Early Times Bottled in Bond, and if Blantons can't stand up to a budget bourbon, why are people paying $500 a bottle?!?

[@whiskeyisajourney]

It's crazy to think people are paying that much for a bottle like this. Blanton's is a $50 bottle at most in my opinion.

[@darrylgaston7009]

Thanks!

[@patrickmcdaniel4370]

Love Early Times.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

They were both a little off today. Not sure why. Cheers!

[@bb4726-h5e]

Blanton’s, all hype. A very average bourbon. I live in Prague and can get Blanton’s Gold for $120. Far superior. ET is formerly Brown Forman, now Sazerac.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I've heard the gold is better as well. Thanks for the correction about brown forman. I couldn't remember who owned it.

[@johncrabtree8555]

Blanton Vs Ancient Age

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I have Blanton's in my blind sample pool a few more times. My memory is horrible these days and I can't remember which, but I do have it up against one of the Benchmark offerings.

[@johncrabtree8555]

Ancient Age and Bllantons have the same Mash Bill. Mash Bill #2: A high-rye bourbon mash bill that's used for Ancient Age, Elmer T. Lee, Rock Hill Farms, Hancock's Reserve, and Blanton's. It contains at least 51% corn, 12-15% rye, and malted barle

[@garyli7222]

Early times blacktop used to be Brown-Forman. They Blanton's I have has a honey note, which I enjoy and the Early Times has a citrus note. The nose on both are much better than the palate.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

THAT'S IT! Brown-Forman. I could not remember.

[@markanderson8677]

ET punches way above its price. Blanton's bunches well below its availability and price. If you ever have a chance, try Clare Island Irish Whiskey. It's wonderful '-)

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I will keep an eye out for the Clare Island. I have never heard of it before.

[@tonylastname6468]

I think people drink with their eyes with the BLANDTONS. The bottle looks like it should be something. But it's not for me. I thought of becoming a teacher long long ago, when I was still in junior high, and then I had an epiphany.... what if I get students like me. So I joined the military instead.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

December 20th is my last day teaching. I'm finally retiring after 28+ years. I've lost touch with the middle school kids.

[@tonylastname6468]

@whiskeyisajourney kids thrive on being misunderstood. Don't be too hard on yourself. You did for over 28 years what most people would never take on.

[@StevenScone]

Please tell me Early Times won.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

It won. 👍

[@darrylgaston7009]

enjoy your video and cheers!

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Thanks!

[@WhiskeyCurious]

Glad to see MB! Totally agree on EW BiB, hate it, mad about buying it...I will turn it into bourbon cream for Christmas gifting. Great nose Pete, nailed the BT product. I get corn husks in Early Times BiB (don't hate it, a little drying), the ET 80 proof makes a great Gold Rush cocktail.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Bourbon cream sounds good and so does the Gold Rush. Cheers!

[@WoodBilly53]

Early times BIB is a definate have to in my library, because its cheaper and good bourbon especially for the price, Blantons, not so much, there are far better bourbons at a lower price range than an expensive so-so bourbon, to me, anyway .

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I typically like the ET more then how it came across during this video. Not sure why it tasted the way it did today.

[@BigD_Energy]

You should really have multiple sips before rating them. 1st sip is always the worst.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

We had plenty of sips before we rated them. Midway through the video we took a break and had multiple sips of both.