Early Times Bottled In Bond New Vs Old Blind Flight!

[@tubeagespank]

The distilleries are on the back label of both bottles: Old, black plasic cap bottle: DSP-KY-354 Early Times, Louisville & DSP-KY 414 Brown-Forman, Shively/Lousiville New, crimped aluminum cap: DSP-KY-354 & DSP-KY-12 Barton (Tom Moore) Bardstown.

[@tubeagespank]

After several side by side tastings I agree that the old bottle is better. Glad I found a few over the last month.

[@airHavana667]

I noticed that too. But to be Bottled in Bond, doesn't the product have to be from one distillery? Thoughts on why two are listed?

[@CBuss660R]

@@airHavana667 first listed is where it's distilled. Second listed is where it's bottled. That still fits within the rules for BiB

[@rosssparks2115]

See my bottle I just bought is New Crimped Aluminum, but the distillery is Louisville. It's amazing btw.

[@huntermcdougal5013]

@@CBuss660R wow so it’s still the same juice but bottled somewhere else 😂😂😂😂 I can’t taste a difference.

[@trZachJones]

Shoutout to Riki and Sean on the absolute phenomenal job well done on this video. Editing was fantastic.

[@Lowtendo]

I know I'm late as all hell, but the newest bottles taste so much better than the first run of metal tops. I grabbed a fresh bottle a couple of weeks ago to give it one more chance, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much the blend had improved. Its probably 90% of the way back to what it was, but she's still a little sharp Only downside is that the Brown-Forman stuff runs out (supposedly) this year so who knows how strong the first run of the new Saz blend will be. Missed out on bunkering the black tops, so I think I'm gonna snag a case or two, just in case it comes out subpar I'd say give it another shot, or sneak a new bottle into a blind somewhere to see how you feel about it now

[@LAuren0723]

While others chased unicorns, I was chasing down all the old label ET BIB

[@thegrandmooch7046]

For those of us that could rarely find the old one, and literally fell in love with it....this is a very sad day

[@RebeccaPaige]

Where are you located? I'm sure someone could arrange to send you some.

[@klenk1am]

Keep searching, just came across a couple old bottles (Mega-Bev) and they weren't dusty. There still some old stock laying around.

[@czrs85]

I just got lucky today. Found a few OG with the black top.

[@WhiskeyFancies]

I'm so happy we bunkered a few of the old ones. Thanks for the review. Cheers!

[@WhiskeyandWhitetails]

If you read the back of the bottles, it states the DSP it was distilled at and bottled at. It is clearly the same distillate... but the bottled in DSP is Barton and yes, something changed. But it’s not the juice itself. We did a video and think it is a time frame. They don’t dump right at 4 years, we think after years of making it… BF figured out the date to dump and Barton hasn’t figured that out yet. They likely dumped some stock into plastic containers and shipped it to them and it was bottled at the Barton plant. Cheers y’all

[@BourbonJunkies]

New blender, bottling line, processes for bottling, just a million little things that could be changing to equal a large shift in profile

[@WhiskeyandWhitetails]

@@BourbonJunkies for sure. we said it was more than just palate drift. Something in the process was changed and it ruined a staple around here

[@iamchade]

100% BF stock like you said big boi. It could also be that it’s not being blended to taste and just blended to meet demand to get bottles to a shelf.

[@gathofbaal7]

So glad I snagged 5 bottles of the old when I learned of the buyout. It was literally sitting on the shelf for weeks, at $20 a bottle.

[@Chilliwack56]

You do know that there is no Sazerac juice in the "new" bottles yet according to sources, it is still Brown-Forman.

[@dragngt]

Thankfully I put about 7 or 8 of those in the bunker when they announced that Sazerac had bought the label. They could have the same mash bill but it’s stored in a different barrel by different coopers, different rickhouse, different master distiller, etc…

[@kirbyculp3449]

I did that... and drank it all already...

[@jrod7929]

Ya know. I mentioned to my wife the other day that I thought my Early Times bottle was a little more alchohol forward than I remember. Had no idea owners changed.

[@ljdecker546]

for nailing the old one and not embarassing himself, and for resisting every urge he had to jack with Sean in the last two videos and for powering through with half an ounce of bourbon on his shirt. Good job, fellas.

[@carlossandiego7925]

Great video. Thanks also for the multiple angles of Dan spilling on himself. We’ve all been there. Also thanks for not changing your shirt Dan. Love the stains.

[@bourbonsanta]

I'll be doing this comparison very soon too.

[@terrykoch6851]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'll now be going to scoop up all the old bottles I can find. Cheers.

[@mattspangler6386]

Unless Sazerac is violating the federal labeling laws, this is not 1792 (or any other Barton stock) because the label says it is from distillery 354, which is Early Times. So this still B-F stock purchased in the ET acquisition deal, but bottled by Sazerac. I completely agree that the Sazerac bottled stuff is vastly inferior; it is hot, harsh and just not very good. Obviously, Sazerac's barrel selection and blending is pretty poor in comparison to B-F. I will be interested to see how the Barton distillate version tastes, but we'll have to wait a couple of years for that. I'm not optimistic.

[@ImRickJames24]

I found a Dusty bottle of Early Times Kentucky Streight Bourbon Whisky 80 proof. Age stated 4 years. It has yellow labels with red banners. The bottle is still over 3/4 full. From what I have been able to figure out I believe it was bottled in the mid to late 70's. Pretty cool to have a bottle of bourbon that's almost 50 years old. Cheers!

[@WhiskeyRocks]

Easiest video to send, found a hole of old ET BiB in NKY for about 33 a bottle, glad to have picked up an extra backup

[@charlesswank8670]

I may hang onto my Brown Forman bottle for years before I open it. So pumped that my friend bought me one before they disappeared from the shelves

[@FrankGastelum]

This makes me happy I bought a case of the old ETBiB when purchase was announced.

[@whodey59]

Thanks Sazarac for screwing up my fav daily drinker!!

[@JC_Chappy]

I'm so pissed. I discovered Early Times BiB just before the sale and remember thinking hmm this isn't as good as I remember... Then I found out about the sale.

[@chrisfran1144]

The new is very good.

[@Matthew_M1821]

It's all good. I blinded the old ET vs Coopers Craft 100 and the coopers won for me. Very similar in flavor profile. So... there's that. No worries Sean!

[@shaunblake5843]

Certainly needed this settled

[@scottleturno5647]

Well dang, I looked a long time for an ET BiB and finally got one. I've been enjoying it and it is the DSP-KY-354 Early Times, Louisville. But now I have to 'protect' this bottle because it went from 'affordable' to 'cannot replace'. Glad I got one of the originals.

[@CBuss660R]

The Saz bottles are DSP-KY-354 too. Bottling location changed from DSP-KY-414 to DSP-kY-12

[@a_z.tazzzfan8497]

Enjoyed the vid 👍 Best part - - At the end when the newbie performs a David Copperfield disappearing act with Sean's assistance 😂

[@collinanderson7747]

i like the new camera angle!

[@ReverseProof]

That was great. Very interesting and moreover, fair!

[@Hellboy700]

I have three (unopened) and a half (opened) bottles of the black cap left. This makes me sad to know that the new blue cap bottles are not as good. But, this makes me happy to know that I have two that can be used for trading. Glad I bought a half case when I did. Respect to Sean for holding firm on his opinion. Update: Checked my local shop and someone cleared the shelves of all of the Early Times (black cap). sigh. oh well.

[@Drotiz]

I guess unpopular opinion but I’ve never had the old bottle and I just picked up the newer one yesterday and I loooved it. I had to stop myself after three pours. I saw an older bottle at my local liquor store literally collecting dust for $40, might just go get it if it’s still there.

[@yearginclarke]

I've never seen Early Times BiB in my area until tonight. Never got to try the old one.

[@phychmasher]

Alright, I'm about to watch this. Big props to Sean in particular for doing this because we all know he's going to pick the new bottle. I'll be back when I finish it.

[@phychmasher]

NOPE. Looks like I was wrong. Now I'm sad that we've lost another fantastic bourbon.

[@robertlauck8245]

Great video. Sean was right and Dan needs a bib.

[@brianmccarthy5419]

Haven't had the new one yet. But I did notice after your original review that my liquor store only has the blue cap now. I still have 3 of the old bottles, so I guess I better make them last. Thanks for the video. Nice job guys.

[@oubrad85]

Just found 3 black caps after work today. They came home with me. I haven’t seen them in Dallas in a good while.

[@Condor987]

I really appreciate this, guys! I have an unopened old label waiting for comparison with a new bottle but now I may just hold on to it for a while… I was so hoping saz would try to get this right. Sad day. Great video!

[@Chilliwack56]

Lol, see my comment above based on sources apparently in the know.

[@andrewt248]

Now I'm really glad I have a bunch of pre-Sazerac ETBiB bottles in the cellar.

[@8BitLife69]

You're still getting the Brown Foreman Early Times until 2024 when Sazeracs is done and ready for bottling.

[@mrjiggs8]

Great Informative video... it's impossible to find where i'm at... but glad i have a couple of the old bottles stashed away... i am curious to try the new at least once if i ever can find one.

[@justinjenkins598]

Dan pouring that on his shirt😂. Thats so something I would do myself.

[@joeshape69]

This video made me go and buy a case of the old stuff at my local store

[@offcamber]

It’s actually the Toyota Camry of bourbon! Interesting blind on a classic value bourbon. I agree the 1st Gen Early Times BIB is the choice for pinch-a-penny bourbon connoisseur’s everywhere. I can grab the original for $24.99 and I recommend you do too!

[@wheresthebourbon]

Thank you guys for doing this. I can't wait to try this blind myself. Great stuff guys!!!

[@clintadkins5107]

Glad I found and bought two cases of the Old ET BIB a couple of weeks ago. Hate that this happened. Very sad day for sure. Thanks for making good content fellas !

[@ArnoldPlaysGuitar]

YES!!!! Been waiting for this.

[@AnarchistArtiodactyla]

I already know, been searching so hard for the old bottle 😢

[@TRob_1964]

If Saz bought the Early Times name and all the stock Brown-Forman had, and this is a BIB product, there should have been another 4 years worth of stock sent to Barton. Barton shouldn't be bottling any "new" juice yet, so not sure why there seems to be a difference between the old and new-style bottles.

[@peaceandwealthseeker4504]

good point

[@69CamaroSS]

…..UNLESS they’re choosing to capitalize on the popularity of the ET flavor profile and bottle it as something else ….FOR MORE $ OF COURSE! Business/Marketing 101

[@jamesanderson7590]

Yes .The purchase was made 2020 including the barrel stock, so how could the Saz label be BIB. The Saz bib would have to be available 2024.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Can Saz blend two or more BiBs in one bottle? I think so.

[@cynicanal111]

@@kirbyculp3449 Nope, to be BiB, everything in the bottle has to be distilled at the same place at the same time, and aged in the same rickhouse.

[@ebunch1911]

Sean I could not agree more about the flavor is completely different. I bought a bottle of the Sazerac version and I am not happy with the flavor. I will just use it as decoration at my bar. So I have been on the hunt to find the black cap. I had only seen the new version but after striking out a few times I lucked up at one store and bought two bottles. You would've thought I won the lottery. This is one of the best kept secret budget bourbons out there. Cheers Gents!!!

[@davidrhode3595]

I just tried the new and old in a head to head. The label is the only thing they have in common. Everything that was right with the old is wrong with the new!

[@godfreygayle4603]

Good video. So the investigation continues with a 1792 BiB vs new ET comparison?

[@sdommert]

Glad I watched this, wanted to try Early Times, but didn't know about the new and old. luckily I found a stash of the old in a local store and I agree, the old is much better!

[@bobnewkirk7003]

The real question for me is: is it still your top pick? I have been going through a lot of your videos and ET BiB comes up over and over as your top pick budget offering; with the new make, does it still hold that spot? I'm legit about to head out and look for an old bottle so I don't miss out on what was...

[@BourbonJunkies]

Old bottle yes, new bottle no. I'll probably just reach for coopers craft 100 now

[@johnsmith-lm4uz]

coopers craft 100 def takes the top readily avail budget pick for me as well, still enjoy the new ET but Coopers blows it away

[@jameshaag7046]

@@johnsmith-lm4uz where do you live where coopers craft if readily available?

[@johnsmith-lm4uz]

@@jameshaag7046 KY, its on basically every shelf, big store or small

[@keviny704]

@@jameshaag7046 It's all over SC also.

[@joshmueller2100]

I would be interested in seeing a comparison to other sazerac bib products. I know the nashbill is different from product to product but maybe you can see what other product it is closest too?

[@garyfranchy7726]

Could the difference be in the blending? Perhaps BF was pickier about what they used for the BiB and let lesser barrels go in the regular Early Times whereas Saz wants greater volume released as BiB?

[@BourbonJunkies]

Not sure, I know something is different none the less

[@garyfranchy7726]

@@BourbonJunkies I was just throwing out a less conspiratorial explanation which would still fit your findings.

[@Nickcib01]

Dan IS the shamu show at Sea World

[@steveszymanski2962]

Love how Dan wants to be right about EVERYTHING but also wants Sean to be wrong about EVERYTHING even when he agrees with Sean - hahahaha

[@andrewyelanich7441]

You guys saved me a trip out of state looking for ET BIB. It's not available in the PA state store so I was thinking of going to ohio to find a bottle, now not so much! Thanks!

[@robr.3679]

We need new Early Times BiB vs. Cooper's Craft 100!

[@michaelmariano9519]

~9:35 Paisley's satisfaction

[@Reamer]

Kicking myself in the ass for not clearing the shelf at my local a while back when they still had the old stuff.

[@scurfie2343]

Cooper's Craft is the replacement of Early Times.

[@Floreypottery]

Making a well known tasty whiskey into something people aren’t gonna like genius

[@Chilliwack56]

First of all you have to realize that Sazerac bought it out in mid 2020 and bottled in bond requires 4 years. Therefore none of the Sazerac juice could be currently in the "new" bottles, apparently, according to sources, it is still Brown-Forman juice in the bottle.

[@Condor987]

Different blender and other people in the production process. They also know the flavor profile of the liquid they produce, so there’s probably motivation to blend it to match what they think their own stuff will taste like in two more years. They don’t care about consistency with what it has been, they just want to maintain their own consistency - and the product suffers for it.

[@waltersobchak2973]

The real question isn't is the new ET Barton, it's where will all of the Old Forester capacity that used to make ET go? I can only assume they plan to move it to a higher priced line or why bother selling the brand?

[@truekingofthejungle9038]

Yall gonna have me in meetings dropping drinking videos on a Thursday before noon!

[@peaceandwealthseeker4504]

been waiting for this video forever.... fears confirmed

[@hypnocracy6102]

Can’t agree more with the new version being “Sharp-Dry”….now pull a Coopers Craft And compare to old ET BiB…because I want to know if Brown Forman will be using CC juice for King of Kentucky going forward with ET gone

[@Sea-Jay]

CC is the OF mashbill so that would be interesting

[@brentvincent4430]

Do barrel reserve because proof is closer to early times

[@hypnocracy6102]

So…OF is still brewing the old ET juice just for King of Kentucky then.

[@Sea-Jay]

@@hypnocracy6102 That and probably contract distilling for Michters still.

[@brandon_sprague]

Brian Casey in shambles after watching this.

[@cohoanglervancouverwa6755]

When Sazerac bought Early Times, what did they buy? Was it the label and the grain bill? I can’t imagine they bought the yeast, which is usually proprietary. Did they also buy the inventory and the warehouses? Seems like the final product depends on a lot of different factors, many of which may not get transferred to the new owners.

[@ljdattilo]

Wow, Saz dropped the ball on this one!! Go hunt out original ET BiB bottles now!

[@blackstar4253]

Side by side new one with 1792 BiB and Kirkland BiB

[@lionslicer383]

Fun video.

[@williamleidy6713]

Something I don't have to worry about. Never had the old.

[@mvivian444]

if you don’t like the new ET BiB - move over to coopers craft 100 proof - keep the brown Forman Energy going! Also you should blind battle original ET BiB vs coopers craft 100

[@TheMarcopix]

Looooove CC 100. Got to be one of the best values out there

[@MichaelC_22]

I was hoping B would be the new stuff even though I new it wouldn't. Should have bunkered more than 2 bottles of the original.

[@joeyyoshizumi]

Dan is just out here being the SAVANT!!! GET HIM A GOLD CHAIN SEAN!!!

[@toddtrent1973]

Love the spill Dan 🤣🤣🤣 So glad you all did this review. Great video fellas. On the nose! Savant

[@fatguyonthc]

Jinkies! That’s not a pirate ghost, it’s Old Man Sazerac!

[@jaybee3204]

Interesting! I had different feelings than you guys blind. I found both to be incredibly similar, but leaned to the saz version. I felt it was slightly richer in flavor. I got just a hint of dark cherry that I did not get on the old. I did feel the the finish on the old was just a tiny bit longer. The finish on the new seemed shorter and drier, but I liked the overall taste just a little better. I am surprised it was so dramatic for you guys. It took a long while going back and forth to pick out differences. Great video guys! Always enjoy seeing different experiences!

[@jordanlopez6956]

Didn't ask for it but you read our minds, thats why you guys get paid the big bucks!

[@robertbooth3367]

Still working on a couple old bottles so not an issue - yet - but you're right, the BIB does place a lot of restrictions on what they are currently doing so..... Scooby-Doo away and unmask the villain!!! Dan does bear a faint resemblance to Shaggy, especially if he grew the hair out a little

[@detroyt232323]

Straight from a Sazerac rep. Sazerac has still to this day Brown Forman tanker trucks dumping juice for Sazerac. Newsflash, it takes FOUR years to make a BIB. Same bourbon at this point! Won't be until 2024 when it's ALL Sazerac.

[@UziRyder1]

To me the new ET kind of taste like a blend of Old Forester 100 and 1792.

[@58lukum]

Thank god I’ve tried the old one before because I can never find it in South Florida. I will buy the new one if I see it anywhere when it heads down this way eventually I hope. I feel like I’m gunna be let down because The Bourbon Junkies palates haven’t led me astray yet. It’s such a shame though because the price and labeling is so on point for what it is. Ugh I need to be alone with my thoughts for a while.

[@bakeercrumble1899]

Same here bro I've been searching for this one in Florida for 5 years now smh..I seriously doubt the old one was better than Coopers Craft but I guess we'll never know lol

[@kirbyculp3449]

The OF Red 100 is pretty good substitute.

[@CarriageHouseCompany]

Sad to say, Sean is right. But... so is Dan (about appreciating it anyway). I've come to like the new ETBiB for what it is... cheap, BiB, and pretty good flavor. They definitely changed the blend, though. I mean, it's not even close.

[@LeighDZ87]

Still behind this curve, hopefully I could get the old one still. Could you guys a do “if you like____try ____” video?

[@ir8jorge99]

New BJ’s segment! Whiskey conspiracy theories

[@tomdelay5280]

Ive only had the blue cap and it is good, better than 1792. Shame I probably will never had the black

[@phillipmain6475]

Damnit I loved the old Brown Foreman Early Times BiB..... I have not tried the new one yet.... So Sad :(

[@kirbyculp3449]

Bourbon Judge likes the OF Red 100.

[@ZATTPUBS]

Sean, big fan ... but I like the Sazerac version of Early Times BiB. But not as much as the old one.

[@OakvilleKGB]

I was just told by a liquor store employee that Sazerac informed them this will now be allocated. They will not be receiving their requested amount from now on.

[@kirbyculp3449]

LoL, it does not even taste that good. The BF was much better.

[@OakvilleKGB]

@@kirbyculp3449 And yesterday I walked into a different store with 9 full cases proudly displayed without a price...But they are awfully proud of their 20% markup on everything else from other stores nearby.

[@onggia850]

NOOOOO!!! I thought I had more time to bunker more ET BiB. I live in AL and ET BiB is hard to come by but I thought to myself when they announced the buy out that I have 4 years to bunker as many bottles as possible before the old stock ran out. 😭

[@trackvol]

I live in AL too. Can pretty much only find these one Saturday a month.

[@onggia850]

@@trackvol If you're lucky.

[@pssita]

I love this stuff! Is it still possible to get the old one?

[@BourbonJunkies]

If you're lucky and find it sitting on a shelf somewhere

[@ncyankee101]

Correct me if I'm wrong - perhaps I'm overlooking something. If this whiskey is aged 4 years - and the takeover happened 3 yrs ago - this should still be the same BF stock for another year.

[@jasongrubb8645]

It's a very sad day that's the first bourbon I fell in love with and it is drastically different

[@BourbonJunkies]

Yep

[@iansammons2730]

Was at buffalo trace last week and saw barrels still there with the dsp ky 354 stamp... I would assume this means its still pre acquisition juice being used... now almost 4 years later. Cant figure out why the quality would have fallen off like that.

[@SA12String]

Good job. Nice to know Sazerac ruined Early Times BiB.

[@macinthergv8910]

I was hoping Sean was wrong and jumping to conclusions, but he is not! I compared the Brown Forman Early Times to the new Sazerac release and a recent 1792 BIB, and the previous Brown Forman Early Times BIB is obviously better. By a lot! Can't tell by the nose, but the palate is very telling. I should have stocked up!

[@thomashardy1851]

Could the differences be between a new blender, the new person might not be as skilled at getting the early times blend to be the same as the old ones. Most like they are using Brown Foreman barrels still.

[@BourbonJunkies]

Lots of factors, something feels different none the less

[@89sooner]

I’ve been thinking on this as more and more videos come out (and I early cracked my “backup,” after learning all about DSP numbers and such), and this seems to be the least diabolical answer to the question…a blender with a different skill or palate that isn’t matching the profile. I wanted to see if this comment was here…it was! I saw one video get off on proprietary yeast…that could be a 2025 explanation, but not now.

[@AndrewDavidWright]

I have one bottle of the old BiB left, about 3/4 full. I guess I’ll save it for when I’m angry at sazerac for ruining Early Times.

[@StonedSpagooter]

I know this is a bourbon channel but PLEASE do a SMWS episode just for us in general whiskey lovers

[@BourbonJunkies]

We've done a couple episodes featuring SMWS

[@Bourbonsouth47]

Got a case of the old vintage bunkered lol

[@shawnhudson1431]

This video makes me so sad! I love the old ET BiB